The Importance of a Positive Work Environment

Each one of us has been a part of a work environment that wasn’t ideal. A boss that was hard to communicate with, a schedule that didn’t prioritize you in any way, or a place where we had no one to talk to. Everyone would rather be a part of a culture that is fun to be around and something that you can look forward to each day you go to work. 

When the members of any group are all on the same page and happy to be at work, it’s easy to accomplish the common goal in mind. 

Most people that have been in a positive working culture have noticed that the entire groups success is always elevated as well. Some may think it’s just perspective, but there are facts pointing to the idea that a positive working environment is more effective than a negative one. We will jump into how you can make your workplace more positive, but first let’s jump into the ‘why’ of having a positive place to work. 

The Numbers 

In a study that was conducted by The American Psychological Association in 2014, they found that $500 billion is siphoned off from the U.S. economy because of workplace stress, and 550 million workdays are lost each year due to stress on the job. On top of that, anywhere from 60%-80% of workplace accidents are attributed to stress. If stress from work wasn’t scary enough, over 80% of all doctor visits are rooted in stress. 

We know that each workplace is different in their own ways. It has boiled down to the stress of being in a hierarchy. In a large-scale study of over 3,000 employees conducted by Anna Nyberg at the Karolinska Institute, results showed a strong link between leadership behavior and heart disease in employees. Stress-producing bosses are literally bad for the heart. 

On the flip side, working in a stress-free atmosphere does wonders. By the nature of the job, doctors are always under an enormous amount stress, but that doesn’t always have to be bad stress. In Shawn Achor’s Best-Seller ‘The Happiness Advantage,’ he states that in a study he conducted, doctors that were in a positive mood before seeing a patient were nearly 3x more intelligent and creative than others in a neutral state. This means the doctors were making diagnoses nearly 19% faster than the other doctors. 

Happiness directly impacts our performance in every facet of our lives, and cultivating a positive work environment is one of the first steps to ensuring each of our employees feel satisfied and appreciated at work. 

How to Have a Positive Work Environment 

There are countless ways you can cultivate a positive work environment. Below we will jump into what we think are some of the best ways you can get a jump on any negative thoughts or feelings in the workplace. 

Prioritize Training and Expectations 

The training period for any new employee typically last 10 business days, or two weeks. During this time, training is usually a top priority, as it should be. But something that is often overlooked in the stages of training a new employee is setting the expectations clear. Without proper expectations, it won’t be a long time before the new employee will start questioning the employer and the methods. Tell them what success in their position looks like, and what you are expecting from them each day. 

Constant Communication 

When we spend time away from anyone in our lives, we will often grow apart in our thoughts as well. When we spend countless hours with the same people, we will be on the same wavelength. With how sporadic work schedules can be, it is imperative to have regular check-ups with employees. This doesn’t mean you have to hound on them and their goals every week, but having an open conversation is the goal. Ask them how their work is going, ask them how life is outside of work if appropriate, and even ask where the environment can improve. Each of your employees have their own ideas, and letting them be heard is over half of the battle. 

Show Appreciation 

There is a lot that goes into making an office function each and every day. Show appreciation from the bottom up. This starts with the CEO going out of their way to thank the overnight crew that works tirelessly to ensure that the office be ready at 8 AM. From there, it spreads. What you appreciate appreciates, and valuing your assets in the workplace is one of the best things you can appreciate. The more you recognize and appreciate your employees, regardless of rank, the more you will see them produce. It starts from the top down with appreciation. Everyone has something to be thankful for each morning. 

Celebrate Individual Wins

From your CFO to your new intern, you need to celebrate everyones victories. Whether they finished their project a week early, or just saved the company $18,000, you need to focus on each person when they do something that is a big deal to them. This goes hand in hand with showing appreciation to your employees. The more they feel appreciated and valued, the more they will want to go out of their way to do more not only for them, but for the company as well. When you are celebrating, be specific so they know you had an eye on them. This will also increase accountability in the tough times, as they know one of their supervisors is keeping an eye on them. 

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In the end, being a good leader is much more simple than it sounds. Being a good leader doesn’t mean you’re going to be perfect, but knowing that the boss has good intentions is more than half of the game when it comes to having a positive working environment. When everyone is bought in, working together to a common goal is a lot easier than it would seem.