Confucius once said, “Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” A truer statement could never be said.
Everyone has something they love doing, and getting rewarded for it is the best feeling in the world, because it means that everyday we’re steeped in what we love. However, sometimes people don’t have the good fortune of working in a job they like. This can often cause them to have doubts about life and in severe cases experience mental health issues. However, there is a defining factor that can aid people in the workplace to being happy and fulfilled.
A happy and optimistic workplace is the most important thing in any job. Whether or not you like your chosen field, it’s no exaggeration to say that if the environment is positive, then so too will be the attitudes of your employees.
So how does someone create a bright, happy and optimistic work environment?
1. Create Clear Expectations With Your Employees
The very first thing is to be clear in what you expect from your employees. Tell them exactly what you need from them in clear, concise terms. Ask questions, ensure that they know what they’re doing, make them feel at ease and comfortable in their environment. However, it’s also important to not talk down to your employees.
No one likes being patronised, and if it’s evident that your employee has a firm grasp on what they’re doing, then there’s no need to re-iterate.
2. Be Nice!
The second thing is so simple it’s bad that it has to go on the list, but it is an essential part of making your workers feel appreciated and yet, it is a rule that is frequently ignored. Be nice!
Just because you’re the boss doesn’t mean that you need to be harsh and critical all the time. In fact it means just the opposite, it means that as the head of a team of people you owe it to them to be a calm, kind and fair leader.
If employees see their leader remaining positive, then that attitude will influence how they work as well.
3. Reward Your Employees
Next is to simply reward consistent good work. If an employee is just continuously completing tasks to the highest degree, then it stands to reason that employee deserves to be rewarded in some way.
Nothing is better than feeling appreciated, and being rewarded for effort spent is always the best motivator.
On the flip side, what if an employee appears to be slack in their efforts or an employee who once did exquisite work is now beginning to slouch? The solution is simple, speak to the employee. Explain the situation calmly and fairly, ask them why the work is not up to standard, if there’s a lack of resources or if there’s something in their personal life that they require some time o from work to sort out.
People appreciate being looked after and while, as an employer you can’t get personally involved in the lives of your employees, you can let them know that you’re a fair person who is willing to give everyone a chance to improve. Kindness and fairness will always be rewarded with loyalty and hard work.
4. Do Something Fun
Finally, do something fun. Working all the time is never a good thing, physically or mentally.
Organise a day a month where employees can do something simple and fun together. Maybe a dinner night or some kind of company bowling party. Something where the co-workers can get together as friends get out of the office and have a laugh.
It will improve relations between workers and increase your standing with your employees as well, because they will feel appreciated and see work as a place where their friends are.
It’s the easiest thing in the world, to be nice.
