How to Create a Positive Work Atmosphere

Home
>
Business Management
>
How to Create a Positive Work Atmosphere

How to Create a Positive Work Atmosphere

Positive versus Negative Workplaces

We have all worked in places where we grew to dread getting up in the morning, and a few of us have had the pleasure of working for a boss who makes us feel like we can do anything. Let's take a look at the differences between a positive and a negative work environment.

Signs of a Negative Work Environment

? The boss is unfriendly.

? The boss is critical.

? There is high employee turnover.

? There is low employee morale.

? People watch the clock.

? People don't get much performance feedback.

Signs of a Positive Work Environment

? The boss demonstrates interest in the employees.

? The boss has an encouraging attitude.

? Employees like working there.

? There is evidence of company pride and loyalty.

? People know where they stand with their supervisors.

Thousands of books have been written on the subject of managing and motivating people, and as many training seminars are conducted on this subject around the world every day. And yet it's interesting that even with all of this available information, few companies succeed at creating a positive work environment. Let's see what's involved.

Four Key Skills

Creating a positive work environment is based on four key skills. They are:

1. Tell people what you expect of them.

2. Show interest in your team members.

3. Create an encouraging environment.

4. Recognize and reward good performance.

Skill #1: State Your Expectations

Telling people what you expect of them means doing the following:

? Communicating expectations clearly

? Having a specific job description

? Identifying specific performance standards

? Specifying deadlines

? Setting goals

Skill #2: Show Interest in Your Team

What behaviors convey that someone is interested in you?

? Making eye contact

? Calling you by name

? Asking your opinion

? Smiling

? Complimenting your work

? Taking your suggestions

These behaviors convey a lack of interest:

? Ignoring you

? Not knowing your name or not using it

? Not asking your opinion

? Ignoring your suggestions

? Not commenting on your work

? Following your suggestion, but only when heard from someone else

Such signs discourage productivity because they make people feel discouraged, angry, less confident, and stripped of self-esteem.

Skill #3: Create an Encouraging Environment

Most people would agree that an encouraging work environment is one where:

? Your ideas are valued.

? Creativity is encouraged.

? Risks are encouraged.

? Fun and laughter are valued.

? New ideas are rewarded.

? You feel appreciated.

? People thank you for your contributions.

? Flexibility is valued.

? You feel like part of the team.

Creating such an environment results in the following benefits to employees. You:

? Contribute more ideas.

? Feel more committed.

? Look forward to coming to work.

? Are more productive.

? Have increased self-esteem.

Creating such an environment results in the following benefits to managers and business owners:

? Less turnover

? Less sabotage

? Greater loyalty

? Easier to find employees due to good reputation

? Higher productivity

Skill #4: Recognize and Reward Good Performance

A reinforcer is anything that happens, after a behavior, that tends to increase the chances that the behavior will be repeated. Included are such things as:

? Compliments

? Smiles

? Thumbs-up gesture

? Saying "Thank you"

? Public announcement of your achievement

? Positive letter in your personnel file

? Promotion

? Time off

? Special parking space

? First choice on schedule

? Dinner with the boss

? Tickets to an event

? Extra employee discount

? Picture on the bulletin board

? Applause at a meeting

Recognition Guidelines

1. Describe the results you are recognizing. Be specific. It's important to make certain the employee knows what behavior or accomplishment you are referring to.

2. State your personal appreciation. Say, "I appreciate it." Adding your personal appreciation makes the compliment feel more genuine.

3. Encourage the person to continue producing such good work. This increases the chances that the person will repeat the desirable behavior.

Garrett Coan is a professional therapist,coach and psychotherapist. His two Northern New Jersey office locations are accessible to individuals who reside in Bergen County, Essex County, Passaic County, Rockland County, and Manhattan. He offers online and telephone coaching and counseling services for those who live at a distance. He can be accessed through http://www.creativecounselors.com or 201-303-4303.

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Stocks point to moderately higher open (AP)

AP - Wall Street headed toward a higher open Tuesday, following a now-familiar pattern of snapping back after a huge selloff. Investors, while looking for bargains, are focusing on the health of retailers and automakers.

Big Three automakers to submit plans to Congress (AP)

AP - Detroit's automakers, making a second bid for $25 billion in funding, are presenting Congress with plans Tuesday to restructure their ailing companies and provide assurances that the funding will help them survive and thrive.

Recession-hit automakers brace for grim US sales (AP)

AP - Walloped by the recession, automakers' U.S. sales are plummeting as hard-to-get credit, job losses and other stresses make many Americans wary of taking on big-ticket financial commitments.

Thai government falls after court bans premier (AP)

AP - Thailand's prime minister resigned on Tuesday after weeks of protests that paralyzed his government and closed the capital's airports. Cargo flights resumed and protesters promised to lift their siege by Wednesday.

'Chemical Ali' sentenced to death in Iraq (AP)

AP - A special Iraqi court sentenced Saddam Hussein's notorious cousin, "Chemical Ali" Hassan al-Majid, to death Tuesday after convicting him of crimes against humanity for his part in crushing the 1991 Shiite uprising in southern Iraq.

Ga. Senate runoff could decide balance of power (AP)

AP - Georgia voters had their hands on the balance of power in the next U.S. Senate as polls opened Tuesday for a runoff election, one of two unresolved races that Democrats need to win to get a 60-seat majority impervious to GOP filibusters.

India demands Pakistan hand over terror suspects (AP)

AP - India picked up intelligence in recent months that terrorists were plotting attacks against Mumbai targets, an official said Tuesday, as the government demanded that Islamabad hand over suspected terrorists believed living in Pakistan.

Body-swap illusion tricks mind in new study (AP)

AP - Shaking hands with yourself is an amusing out-of-body experience. The illusion of having your stomach slashed with a kitchen knife, not so much.

Britney Spears tops Yahoo searches (AP)

AP - She did it again: Britney Spears was the most popular search term on Yahoo for the fourth year in a row Â— her seventh time topping the list.

Heat rally in final seconds of OT to beat Warriors (AP)

AP - Chris Quinn hit a tying 3-pointer with 7.1 seconds left in overtime, Michael Beasley stole the ensuing inbounds pass and made the decisive free throw, and the Miami Heat pulled off a wild 130-129 comeback win over the Golden State Warriors on Monday night.

Thai court disbands ruling party (Reuters)

Reuters - Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat was banned from politics for five years and his party disbanded on Tuesday, plunging the country deeper into chaos and raising fears of a violent backlash by government supporters.

Europe looks to galvanize banks (Reuters)

Reuters - The European Commission on Tuesday promised measures to get state-aided banks to start lending to the real economy but EU finance ministers squabbled over ways to push back against the global financial crisis.

Georgia votes in key Senate run-off election (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. state of Georgia votes in a run-off election for U.S. Senate on Tuesday that will help decide whether Democrats gain a big enough majority in the chamber to ram through legislation virtually at will.

Oil back above $49 after early dive (Reuters)

Reuters - Oil pared losses on Tuesday after an earlier fall to a new 3-1/2-year low below $48 a barrel, weighed down by heavy losses in global stock markets after confirmation that the United States was in recession.

Two U.S. soldiers charged for abusing Afghans (Reuters)

Reuters - Two U.S. soldiers serving in Afghanistan have been charged with the abuse of Afghan detainees, the U.S. military said Tuesday.

Chances of WMD attack in big city greater: report (Reuters)

Reuters - The chances of a terror attack on a major city somewhere in the world using weapons of mass destruction are better than even, according to a task force mandated by the U.S. Congress, The Washington Post reported in its Tuesday edition.

India demands Pakistani sign of faith (Reuters)

Reuters - India demanded Pakistan hand over 20 of its most wanted fugitives as a sign of good faith on Tuesday, while both sides tried to cool tensions over the Mumbai attacks that have threatened improving ties.

Lots of TV and Web harms kids' health (Reuters)

Reuters - Spending a lot of time watching TV, playing video games and surfing the Web makes children more prone to a range of health problems including obesity and smoking, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.

Thai court bans PM, flights to resume (AFP)

AFP - A Thai court stripped Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat of his post and outlawed the ruling party on Tuesday, prompting jubilant anti-government protesters to lift a blockade of Bangkok's main airport.

Pakistan offers 'joint investigation' into Mumbai attacks (AFP)

AFP - Pakistan offered on Tuesday to work hand-in-hand with India to track down those responsible for the Mumbai attacks but declined to respond immediately to a demand that it hand over 20 terrorist suspects.

How to Create a Positive Work Atmosphere

Business Management Business Management