Most people have worked at one or two jobs they’ve grown to greatly dislike. Unfortunately, one big reason why someone may develop an antipathy toward their work doesn’t have anything to do with “work,” at all; rather, a toxic office atmosphere can derail even the most efficient companies. The good news is, an unhealthy office culture doesn’t have to be a permanent fixture in your workplace. Indeed, you can strive to overcome negativity at your office
–– and you can start by following these five tips:
Make Layout Changes
Believe it or not, the way a room is set up typically affects the way people feel in it. After all, an unintuitive layout can cause confusion or irritation among your staff. You don’t want to create unnecessary headaches like this for your employees; consider reconfiguring your office, or else refurbishing key areas. Even little changes like new furniture can make a big difference.
Properly Motivate
There’s a subtle art to motivating and rewarding your employees
. Appear too heavy-handed and you’ll likely alienate team members unintentionally; play it too demure and you’ll struggle to inspire your charges. You may have to experiment for a while before you strike the right balance, but stay persistent and make sure to work closely with your team members to find the ideal formula for providing motivation.
Lighten the Load
Speaking of collaborating with your team, sometimes you can alleviate an office malaise simply by asking questions. What’s bothering your team most? Is there a work-related process that needs revising? Anything you can do to make your employees’ lives easier will help lift the gloom in a tangible way. So don’t hesitate to consult with tech companies or a 3PL provider
that can offer your business solutions to common problems. To forgo these improvements is to invite trouble.
Deal with Personnel Conundrums
Every business owner should try and create a company that’s easy to work for. However, despite your best efforts, sometimes a new hire doesn’t pan out
. Obviously, the people who inhabit your workplace are the ones contributing to the vibes –– good or bad. Endeavor then to bring in positive, forward-thinking people and encourage seasoned employees to help integrate new arrivals.
Open Your Doors
Transparency is vital to any entrepreneur looking to build trust and foster sound relationships with their staff. And one way to do that is by literally opening up. Make your office available to anyone who wants to speak with you, and make a point to get your of your comfort zone and collaborate with every aspect of your operation. People are happiest when they’re working toward a goal they believe in; that’s why it’s so important to share your vision with your team as much as possible.
