If you’re not focusing on positivity in the workplace, your bottom line could be taking a huge hit.Disengaged employees can wind up costing your business up to $550 billion a year. Even if you think your team is performing to their full potential, you could be missing out by a lot.
But how do you maximize the engagement of your employees? The answer is just simple enough to overlook.
When you’re trying to increase productivity, one of the most effective areas to focus on is positivity in the workplace. Think about it: when are you at your highest level of productivity? Positive emotions are typically the top productivity tool that drives you to perform at your best.
So, how do you ensure your employees are in a positive work environment? There are a few key strategies that you can implement as a manager.
Read on to learn more about positivity in the workplace and how you can promote a positive workplace for your business.
Positivity in the Workplace Equals Productivity
Productivity increases when you promote positivity in the workplace; this is an indisputable fact. Don’t believe it? Consider the following benefits of positivity in the workplace.
Increase Creativity in Business
A negative attitude and outlook is the enemy of creativity, especially in a business setting. A happy, motivated employee is much more likely to apply themselves, potentially creating ideas and solutions that can have your bottom line skyrocketing.
On the other hand, an employee in a negative work environment might take on that “why bother?” mentality that will have them on your payroll with little more than the bare minimum to show for it. This becomes a “why bother?” scenario on your end, too.
Promote Collaboration Chemistry
When everyone has a positive attitude in the workplace, forming relationships with one another becomes that much easier. This chemistry promotes collaboration, as everyone is more comfortable with communicating and adding their input.
Plus, your employees will enjoy each other’s company, perhaps even finding inspiration to be at their best. This simply can’t be done with a bunch of miserable employees that dread coming into work every day.
Happier Employees Are More Motivated
A positive workplace breeds happier employees, and happier employees are more motivated to go beyond the expectations of their job titles. This can propel your business to new heights.
Think about it: if everyone in your business does the bare minimum of their job title, then how can you move forward as a company? True progress requires the out-of-the-box thinking that can only come from happy employees.
Encouraging Emotional Intelligence as a Boss
One of the best things you can do as a leader is to lead by example: if your employees see you keeping your cool under pressure, they’ll learn to apply those positive emotions when dealing with their own work. If you act negative, disrespectful, tone-deaf, or dismissive of your employees, then that energy will fester and poison your work culture.
Plus, if you’re a less-than-compassionate boss, you might notice that you experience higher levels of employee turnover. Training new employees costs a business an average of around $2000, which directly eats into your bottom line.
You might be thinking, “Well, how can I treat my employees well without feeling like a doormat?” This is a delicate line to walk, but there are ways to be a kinder boss while still be “the boss.”
Provide Resources For Employee Growth
Great bosses don’t just throw their team to the wolves: they lead them to achieve greatness. This means helping them through problems rather than just expecting them to fix it themselves.
You should also encourage your employees to learn more, and provide funding or incentives wherever necessary. For example, you can print out a course catalogue for a local community college and encourage your employees to take a course on the company’s dime. Trust that it will be worth the investment for you.
Be a Leader
If you consider yourself more of a delegator than a doer, then you have to let go of this mindset. Great bosses are more than just bosses: they are leaders. This means getting down in the trenches with your team and being a driving force instead of waiting on the sidelines for stuff to get done.
For example, let’s say your team is working on a project that requires your approval. Rather than providing vague feedback expecting them to read your mind, give them specifics. This requires more work on your part, but it really helps increase the level of positivity in the workplace.
Listen to Your Employees
As a boss, one of the worst things you can do is leave your employees feeling as though they’re not being heard. After all, why bother coming into work if no one values your perspective?
If you’re looking to increase positivity in the workplace, then you must listen to what your employees have to say. What’s more, you should actively demonstrate that you value their input. Keep an eye on your verbal and nonverbal communication so you can be sure you’re sending out the right message.
This means not only implementing an “open door” policy for employee feedback, but also really taking these words to heart and following it up with action. If your employees feel like their voice matters in the business, then they’ll be much more motivated to perform at (or even surpass) their potential.
Other Ways to Boost Productivity in the Workplace
Aside from being the best boss you can be, there are a few other ways you can foster positivity in the workplace. By keeping these tips in mind, you can start building an action plan that works.
Prioritize the Physical and Mental Health of Your Employees
If you’re working with a team of unhealthy employees, whether it’s mental or physical, then you’re not likely to get much out of the deal. A major part of promoting positivity in the workplace is not only noticing how your employees are feeling, but doing everything you can to demonstrate that you care.
For example, try adopting a more lax perspective on your “9 to 5” workday. If you notice an employee is really struggling, then offer to let them take off a few hours early, penalty-free. This will show them that you value them as a living, breathing person who might need a mental break once in a while.
You can also provide tools to help your employees be happier and healthier in the workplace. Plan out employee appreciation parties or outings to let your team know that you care about their well-being. Some offices even set up workout rooms and other lounge areas for employees blow off steam where necessary.
Organize Team-Building Activities
A team that plays together, stays together: don’t forget that. One of the ways you can create a more positive work environment is by organizing team-building activities that help your employees take a break and enjoy some wholesome fun as a group.
There are a lot of directions you can go with this, such as creating a sports team or even organizing a cookout in a nearby park. The important thing is getting your employees to spend more time having fun together rather than just being at work.
Promote a Positive Company Culture
A good mission statement and company culture directive are what unites a team of employees, making them feel like they’re really part of something. Come up with your vision of how you’d like your workplace to be, and make sure your team knows what’s expected of them to help make it happen.
This not only helps build morale, but it also creates a generally positive attitude in the workplace. If you’re not emphasizing your expectations for your team, then you might end up with some negative Nancys who bring everyone down with them.
Provide Formal Recognition
If an employee goes above and beyond, don’t just ignore it. Be sure you’re actively recognizing your stellar employees and using them to set an example for the rest of your team.
This goes beyond the somewhat antiquated “Employee of the Month” program. Kinda cheesy and uninspired, no?
Instead, why not get your employee a gift to show your appreciation? Or leave them a shoutout on a company-wide email? Whatever you do, just make sure you’re not leaving a good deed unnoticed.
Show Appreciation
Aside from formally recognizing employee achievement, simply showing your appreciation of everyone helps foster a positive work environment.
Be sure you’re constantly providing positive feedback and encouragement, as well as voicing appreciation for all your employees do. Even a small “thank you” can go a long way when you’re promoting positivity in the workplace.
Create a More Positive Work Environment Now
Fostering a positive and healthy work environment is key for enhancing your business’s prospects and, in turn, your bottom line. Negativity will only wind up harming you and ruining your own potential as well as your team’s. Now that you know more about promoting positivity in the workplace, take the steps to create a more positive work environment today.
For the right tools to create a positive work culture in your business, contact me today.
