How to Create a Positive Work Atmosphere

At work, we spend a very large part of our lives, sometimes seeing colleagues more often than family members. People are different, and not everyone can work together successfully. The relationships between colleagues and the working environment have a major impact on the quality of work. A positive work atmosphere fosters creativity, productivity, and efficiency. Read more: Why Well-being Initiatives are Essential for Employee Productivity.

A Harvard Business Review study shows that less than a quarter of companies believe they have a high level of engaged employees. Furthermore, a study by Van Allen shows that companies with 99% employee engagement have four times higher success rates.

The suggestions below will tell you how to improve the work environment

• Start with gratitude. Sometimes the work pace is so fast that you don’t have time to appreciate others’ work. This can make employees feel unrecognized. Just one positive sentence will make your colleagues feel better. Be grateful for the work of others because, without it, things would not move forward. If you are the head of a department or business, you can invite everyone at the beginning of your weekly meeting to thank your colleagues for the work they have done. This will make the employees feel that they are truly valued and the work they do is meaningful.
• Create a supportive work environment. People are different and each one responds uniquely to different situations in life. Therefore, when communicating with colleagues, remember that opinions can differ and that is often what enhances new ideas. Also, respect the principle of equality and allow everyone on the team to speak. Nothing reduces productivity and creativity as a toxic work environment. If employees/colleagues do not feel comfortable and safe in your presence, you run the risk of missing out on a lot of good ideas and suggestions.
• Spread the good energy and indulge in some fun. It doesn’t seem like much to say hello and smile. But it is often forgotten because the head is full of other thoughts. However, such a simple thing enhances good energy and invites others to smile in return. This can trigger a chain reaction. Also, from time to time, bring some fun. It could be the idea that one day is a day of colorful socks, or everyone needs to think of a way to decorate their table for a particular theme. This will encourage creativity and prevent you from slipping into routine.
• Communicate face to face. Of course, it is easy to send a long message to a colleague sitting at a nearby desk and avoid direct communication. However, this attitude can be quite annoying and make an unpleasant impression. If the situation can be solved simply by speaking and exchanging ideas and suggestions, then get up and go to your colleague. Within a few minutes, everything will be clear and you will both be able to continue working. Avoid unnecessary work for yourself and others by communicating face to face as much as possible.
• Celebrate victories and important events. Wins and important events are a great reason for a team to come together and celebrate while building closer relationships. Celebrate colleagues’ birthdays, project closures, and other achievements or life events. Even a simple get-together for cake and coffee brings the team together. Closer relationships will benefit situations where everyone needs to work together or solve problems.
• Create a pleasant and orderly workplace. Everyone has their own understanding of order and how work should be organized, but working in a team doesn’t let to think only of ourselves. Organize your workplace in a way that does not cause other unpleasant situations. Do not leave your desk messy, wash your dishes, and leave the place tidy after yourself.
• In business, there are only opportunities, not problems. Things in life can be looked at in different ways and often the attitude is what determines the end result. Even in times when things are too much, don’t go as planned, or mistakes are made, try to look at the opportunity to try again, to analyze your mistakes and learn from them.
• Think positively. You can find something good in every situation. It is easy to give up when something fails. However, this is not the best option. Just when things go wrong, you have to think positively. Did the project not produce the expected results? Tune in positively to the hope that everything will work out and help others think the same. This does not mean ignoring bad things but choosing not to obey them. Why worsen the current situation? A study by Babes-Bolyai University (Romania) explains that pleasant emotions, such as joy and pride, are positively associated with self-esteem, while unpleasant feelings, such as anxiety and anger, negatively affect self-confidence and vision of life.

No company is perfect and everyone has their own problems. However, managers who are aware of the importance of a positive work environment benefit the most from their employees. Not for nothing did entrepreneur Richard Branson say, “Treat employees the way you want them to treat your customers.” Read more: Tips for Improving Communication Skills