~by Lizzie Weakley~
Creating a healthy workplace environment is very important. It helps with the level of productivity. It helps keeps stress levels down. If you’re looking for simple ways to infuse this type of positivity in your workplace from a managerial standpoint, consider these ideas.
Example
It’s important to be the change you want to see. Just like children are more likely to obey what their parents do more than what they say, you’ve got to be the role model and support what you say with actions. Actions speak much louder than words. Be kind and courteous. Always be thoughtful and consider those who you don’t agree with. Always look to find a solution and obey the rules of your work culture. Don’t assume that you’re above the standards, because others will notice that. The more you go outside of the rules, the more your employees will do the same.
Expectations
It’s important to have understood the expectations of each employee. The key word is understood. Have an informed conversation with your employees regarding what you expect, the rewards and the consequences. It’s unfair to hold an employee to a standard they’re unaware of. Once expectations are communicated, kind but firm reminders are necessary in the case of an infraction. Continued negligence can result in termination of employment.
Equality
It is a wise idea to hire employees who will be a good social fit for the environment. It’s a fine line because you don’t want to create an environment where everyone is exactly the same. However, it is important to be a good judge of character and personality. Just make sure to place an emphasis on diversity and equal treatment.
Employee Hiring
Each person you hire is like a building block to a healthier workplace. You should hire someone with a positive attitude to help promote a positive workplace environment. Positivity isn’t the only important factor, and it’s hard to display that through a resume. This is why the interview process is important and an interim/probationary period is wise. If you want to improve the workplace culture, consider hiring someone with a Master of Science in Applied Psychology. Hiring the people with the right education can make a big difference in their ability to make a positive impact.
Environment
Many people get understandably stressed out when their work environment is messy. You might have employees on your staff that get anxiety at the thought of clutter. This can directly impact their level of productivity and the quality of the work they produce. In this case, be a stickler about keeping a clean environment. Make sure the workplace smells good, stays clean, and is visually appealing for employees to come to work.
While creating a better workplace is a task on its own, maintenance is another. With intention and a concerted effort in this area, maintenance will feel like second nature.
Meet the Author: Lizzie Weakley
Lizzie is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to college at The Ohio State University where she studied communications. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her 3-year-old husky, Snowball.
