Ten Mantras for Better Workplace
A good workplace is not just about free breakfast, fridge full of beers and fruits, lava lamps or even about money. It’s all about making employees feel appreciated and respected by making office as their place. This concept is broadly explained by Bock in his book work rules.
Many researches have concluded that “happy ☺” employees outperform their competition by more than 20%. This stat is a significant margin which helps not only to get employees productive, but also offers cost saving and competitive edge on real revenue generation. Of course, money is a vital factor to keep employees more productive but there is also an extraordinary factor required to keep employees rewarding and dynamic- Happiness. It keeps workforce constructive, efficient and also induce them to stay in organization for longer spans.
There are various suggestions that employees can keep themselves happy and productive by practising meditations for a couple of minutes, appreciating and helping co-workers in small and big ways. When it comes to happiness of employees, their manager is the integral part of creating happiness. It’s highly advisable to managers to be compassionate, encouraging and patient with employees to create a productive and happier workplace.
Here are Ten Mantras for better workplace:
- Spread Smile with all people around
This is the easiest way to spread love and happiness in your company. Nobody likes to turn on computer early morning looking depressive and displease face of colleagues. Say “Hi, Hello, How are you doing, Happy to help” with jolly face and see the magic it creates in your work place. Heyyy always remember that a smile does not cost anything but it will definitely make a difference in others’ life for a moment. Do smile ☺ and see the magic….
- Give assurance and trust
Everyone is looking for an assurance and support from colleagues and bosses. Once Oprah Winfrey was asked that what did you find one common thing among all guests in your show and she replied, “everyone looks for assurance”. Regardless of their post, personality and profession, at the end of the show, everyone asks- Oprah, was that all right? So, even high profile people seek for assurance. Telling your co-workers like: “you are doing great” or “I am really happy to work with you” or “our team is happy to have you onboard” or “your commitment is amazing” will make their day and make themselves more productive. These small gestures also create trust among employees. Isn’t it nice for all?
- Hire people better than you
It is difficult to do by using the traditional interview method. In most of the interview, interviewers select candidate mainly because they can relate to them based on shared interest, background and many other related things not because they can do the job at high level. To remove this problem, it is suggested that each candidates should be assessed based on previously identified job attributes. This process was also suggested in the book Work Rules written by Laszlo Bock. Creative and smart people tend to create a better work place. There is one famous quote of Steve Jobs – “It does not make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do: we hire smart people so that they can tell us what to do”. Job of a leader is not to tell what to do. Instead, his job is to create a conducive environment and motivate employees for growth and success.
- Celebrate all kind of success whether its big or small
Company and departments should announce and celebrate the small and big success. Every employee should share the success stories in meetings or in casual encounters. Celebrate the success together like birthdays and anniversary. Therefore, employees feel connected with each other and it leads to create a better work place. Verbal praise, written praise, party and employee bonus are some other ways to celebrate success.
- Make office comfortable
Clean, cozy and attractive office can have tremendous effects on employees and managers’ relationship. According to Mike Canarelli, CEO and co-founders of Web Talent Marketing, even if sun can’t shine in the office, make an effort to provide a relaxing atmosphere with comfy furniture, working equipment and few extra miles amenities. It helps to keep the employees’ mood fresh. The manager can offer employees the flexibility to choose to work where they are comfortable including the choice of whether to sit or stand while working in their desk.
When employees have privilege to choose the working space, it gives freedom to customize their working place according to their comfort. Managers need to understand that everyone works in different ways. Likewise, lighting also plays important role in employees’ performance and attitude. Exposure to natural light greatly enhance the mood and atmosphere and energy which leads to more focus and productivity.
- Make work life balance a priority
These days, work life balance is an impossible feat for many people. Research of Harvard Business School shows that 94 % of working professionals reported that they work more than 50 hours in a week and half of them are working more than 65 hours in a week. Work life balance experts believe that it can damage the relationship, health and overall progress. The concept of work life balance has been priority in many workplaces. As a colleague and manger everyone should understand that you value your co-workers or employees as loyal employees. You also need to understand that employees have life outside company as well. Work life balance can be offered by giving home office service, offers for wellness and health programs, childcare options and many more… Such incentives also help to improve the employees’ overall quality of life which also shows that you care about their wellbeing.
- Avoid micromanagement
In general, micromanagement is someone trying to control and monitor everything in a group, department or place. Micromanagement usually leads to the manager losing track of larger picture in business and annoying and pressurizing the team by being overly controlling. Imagine what your reaction would be when your manager is watching everything you do and criticizing every mistakes and deviations from their own methods. Nobody likes to stay in constant radar of boss.
Employees who feel trusted, valued and supported feel more relaxed and productive in the job they perform.
- Launch an individual development plan
There are many people who do not have clear meaning of their job and short term and long term goals. For those unfamiliar employees, Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a way and tool to guide employees in personal and career development. IDP helps to create short and long term development plan, seek meaning of their job and improve current performance. It also helps to identify the personal and professional goals of the employees. Implementation of IDP shows that employers are serious about development of individual employee and reaching customized goals.
- Occasionally get out of your work routine
Various research suggests that one can greatly enhance productivity, creativity and ability to accept challenges by walking out his or comfort zone and doing things what he or she loves to do in his outer world. Normally people forget to focus on big picture when they are busy with their work. This thwarts people from having perks and planning entertaining events that makes workplace happy. Plan something for fun that surprises colleagues or you can organize fun events with friends outside your work circle. Do anything that makes your colleagues feel good that you are doing something cool for them makes people happy. Don’t get stuck in a rut at workplace because you also have life outside of office.
- Offer workplace wellness
It takes considerable time and effort to develop the fitness or healthy habit, estimated time of 21 to 66 days of daily repetition. Taking account of time we spend in our workplace and importance of healthy working environment, it makes sense to promote the workplace wellness programs. It will help not only to increase the productivity but also to sparkle the feel good factor in all areas of work. As the world of corporate culture progresses, one of the signs of top tier employer is to offer the impressive wellness program at the workplace. Some prevalent examples of wellness programs are on-site fitness center, yoga classes, massage therapy, lunch and healthy snacks, naps and many more… Workplace wellness is not just a cool employee perk, but also a tool to keep employees in the right shape to perform at their highest level.
I am a freelance writer. I write about personal development, careers, finance and business. Writer can be reached at rabindraghimire@gmail.com
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Very nice article indeed