Employee satisfaction and comfort have a tremendous impact on the success of any business. And, the best way to ensure employee satisfaction is to create a positive and pleasing work environment that leaves them feeling motivated and enjoying a sense of belonging. How does one do that? Well, it’s not an overnight change that you can usher. Several behavioural, physical, mental and personality changes come together to create a winning work environment. Wondering where to get started? We have you covered! Here are seven ways to help your employees feel comfortable and motivated at work.
Table of Contents
Invest in the Right Aesthetic & Furniture
Believe it or not, physical comfort is the foremost step to mental stimulation and motivation. None of your employees is going to feel comfortable in a cramped, hot or uncomfortable physical setting. This is why it is important to get the aesthetics and furniture of your office on point. Choose comfortable and ergonomic executive desks with plenty of storage space, leg room and a modesty panel so employees can sit comfortably. An ergonomic and adjustable office chair that matches the desk is also a worthy investment.
Spread Positivity
Happiness is infectious. Creating a happy and positive environment will give your employees a boost of energy and facilitate team bonding and camaraderie. Create a positive and pleasing work environment for your employees by practising inclusivity, opportunities for career growth, transparency, open dialogue and an overall pleasing atmosphere. Set up regular team-bonding activities, outbound training, casual team outings and plenty of chances to bond outside of the workplace.
Reward Often & Well
Reward publicly, but criticize privately. Give credit where it is due, calling out employees with exceptional performances on public forums such as team meetings, e-mail threads, conferences and reviews. Remember, rewards need not be monetary, although it doesn’t hurt to dole out monetary rewards now and then. Hand out prizes, mementoes, “shout outs” or just a scroll with positive feedback. Set up a peer review system where teammates appreciate one another. In case of any negative feedback or areas of improvement, save those conversations for a one-on-one discussion so your employees do not feel called out or targeted.
Encourage Breaks & Leaves
Encourage your employees to take time off and recharge themselves. Discourage the culture of working long hours and taking work home. Instead, model a work ethic that encourages your employees to give their hundred per cent during work hours so they can leave the office at the desirable hour. Encourage your team to take their leaves and spend quality time with family. This in turn helps them come back to work refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to give their best at work. Such a healthy way of life and work will leave your employees feeling comfortable and at ease in their workplace.
Also, allow your employees the chance to work from home once in a while. Believe it or not, commuting to work adds to work stress. Give them a chance to take things easy and offer their best from the comfort of their home. Discuss tips to work from home productively and ensure they are on the same page as you.
Be Approachable Always
Keep all lines of communication open with your employees. Always make sure you are accessible to them if not in person at least over a phone call or a message. Even for work-related queries, keep informal channels of communication open. This ensures that employees feel a sense of ease and comfort approaching you. At your workplace, try to keep your cabin door open so you portray a spirit of openness and accessibility. Additionally, try to be a safe space for your employees where they can come and discuss work-related issues without any inhibition or hesitation. Work towards building an individual relationship with each of your employees that involves friendly banter and a healthy relationship.
Set An Example
None of the above will work if you don’t set an example yourself for the right behaviour and conduct. Walk the talk and give your employees a chance to learn from you. Whether it is work ethics, work-life balance, honesty or just the way you conduct yourself, shape yourself to be a role model for your team. At the same time, it is always important to ensure you don’t flaunt your behaviour or achievements. Let it be a subtle and self-driven learning that they enjoy from you.
Don’t Bring Up The Past
Keeping a score is one of the least effective ways to act as a manager. Managers that keep a list, mental or physical, of all the mishaps or successes each employee has or has not accomplished will often find their employees come to resent them. This culture also dents the interpersonal relationship between your employees and makes them repulsive of one another.
Instead, try to remain positive and reassure employees, even when they fail. Don’t bring up past failures or even successes to compare to the present scenario. Instead, focus on the bigger picture and the learning for the entire team from a mishap. Creating a common goal and encouraging employees to do their best will get you farther than keeping score and criticizing people when they are down.
Wrap Up
We hope these ideas help you set up a great work environment for your employees!
