With the ever-changing job market landscape, many businesses are struggling to find people with the necessary qualifications and skills. To keep up with the times and remain competitive, companies must be able to adapt quickly to the changing expectations and values of the modern workforce when companies stay rooted in an outdated and often rigid company culture that dictates how, when, and where employees must work, it makes them a less attractive employer—often contributing to an already worrying internal talent gap.
Our teams today have very different needs and expectations of their leaders than those in previous decades. Employees today expect more than just a paycheck; they want meaningful work that has a purpose and provides them with growth opportunities. They also want flexible schedules to enjoy their downtime while still meeting their deadlines. With this comes an increased demand for remote working opportunities as well as workplace diversity initiatives that respect different cultures and lifestyles.
Three key elements must be present for a business to foster an environment of positivity – happiness, balance, and respect.
Happiness
At the core of any successful organization is the idea that employees should have a sense of satisfaction regarding their work. Happiness is measured by monetary compensation and feeling satisfied and valued in their work environment. Leaders should make it a goal to cultivate an atmosphere where employees are content with their job roles, respected for their contributions, and feel like they are an integral part of the team.
Doing so can reap numerous benefits for your organization. An extensive study (1) by Oxford University’s Saïd Business School into happiness and productivity found a strong correlation between the two, with workers believing themselves to be 13% more productive when happy. Other studies (2) have shown that happiness is a leading indicator of productivity and profitability. When workers are more content and stress-free, this tranquil state of mind allows them to think more creatively and imaginatively. As a result, decisions made, and outside-the-box thinking can catalyze businesses’ progress, whether in the short or long term. Happiness plays a vital role in aiding individuals to make the best-inspired choices, encouraging companies from all sectors to move forward with greater ambition than ever before.
Happier employees make for a more harmonious and productive workplace. Uplifted spirits and a lack of stress promote natural energy, which, in turn, can have a ripple effect across theentire workplace. The phenomenon of collective effervescence means that contentmentspreads between people, leading to even more satisfaction on an individual and team level. If you can create a culture of workplace happiness, staff members at every level will benefit from it. It should come as no surprise then that creating a culture of satisfaction also leads to improved staff retention.
Leaders can achieve this by offering tangible rewards such as bonuses or verbal affirmation in the form of gratitude. Fostering camaraderie between co-workers through activities such as team lunches and bonding events is another way of creating a sense of support between colleagues.
Balance
Work-life balance initiatives (3) are no longer an unfamiliar concept; they are now seen as an essential business tool for encouraging an engaged and healthy workforce. Corporate programs emphasizing work-life balance have been proven to offer real, lasting benefits to companies and their employees. They improve employee productivity and reduce turnover rates, creating a more energized and efficient workplace. Furthermore, such programs have positively impacted employees’ mental and physical well-being.
Many studies (4) have demonstrated that people with a higher sense of emotional well-being are better able to engage in work tasks, contribute productive ideas, and build stronger relationships at work. Moreover, creating an environment that encourages employees to focus on taking care of themselves can reduce stress levels and improve overall motivation, which has powerful implications for productivity.
Work-life balance is more than just a nice gesture-it should be the foundation upon which other initiatives are based, making it a critical tool for any corporate program. 86% of C-suite executives and HR leaders think they’re doing a good job regarding mental health, according to research (5) commissioned by Modern Health and conducted by Forrester Consulting. Despite this, only two-thirds of workers feel supported. That leaves us with a concerning 28% who felt neglected or lacked the necessary mental health outlets. It’s clear that employers need to do more to promote positive mental health initiatives and create an environment where their employees can thrive. Workplaces should strive towards providing valuable resources that prioritize employee wellbeing, from flexible work hours and self-care initiatives to meditation or mindfulness classes and extended breaks – all of which can help foster better work-life balance.
Another benefit of these work-life balance initiatives is that they can also boost an organization’s diversity. Research (6) conducted by Harvard Business Review over a thirty- year period found that when universal policies were established that allowed for family leave time, flexible scheduling, and assistance with childcare, it opened up the opportunity forpeople of color to become more involved in management roles–the numbers increased alsofor white female managers.
Why do those groups benefit so much from work-life initiatives? Because they face the greatest work/life challenges. For example, women and people of color often take on the responsibility of being single parents. On top of that, it’s important to tackle the underlying systemic issues that limit their resources and opportunities – from reliable childcare to equal pay disparities. Work-life initiatives give these groups the support they need to succeed despite many accumulating odds. Access to these initiatives remains essential until entrenched prejudices and systemic issues are addressed.
Respect
Respect is a critical element of any successful organization, and it’s important to cultivate an environment of mutual respect between all employees. It means respecting the contributions of all team members regardless of seniority or title and encouraging feedback between team members at all levels.
Respect should extend beyond being polite in the workplace; having a feedback culture that allows employees to voice their ideas and opinions and harness their strengths respectfully will ultimately lead to greater success. Respect also encompasses setting boundaries around acceptable behavior that are consistently adhered to; this gives team members direction on both a personal and professional level and helps them resolve conflict or make quick decisions. Respect should be consistently practiced as part of day-to-day operations, especially during times of conflict resolution or when quick decisions are necessary.
Respectful work cultures are built on active listening: listening to understand, not just to respond. This means engaging with all the senses, being mindful of emotions and body language, and being considerate of microaggressions. It is also important to have open communication, which fosters a sense of trust and allows issues to be pointed out as soon as they arise. One of the most important steps one can take towards fostering such an environment is to make sure both physical and emotional spaces are ones that welcome, comfort, and include everyone.
Create a Culture of Happiness, Balance, and Respect
Creating a positive company culture (7) is not an easy endeavor, yet it is increasingly important in the era of the Great Resignation. Implementing these three pillars into your business will set your team up for success. Each person will feel valued and supported within your organization while functioning with efficiency and focus due to feeling content in their role within your company’s culture.
To learn how to create a positive work culture, visit our website.
References
1. https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2019-10-24-happy-workers-are-13-more-productive
2. https://www.forbes.com/sites/cindygordon/2022/10/30/employee-happiness-is-a- leading-indicator-of-profitability-and-productivity/?sh=2d600a121f8f
3. https://truesynergyinc.com/how-to-achieve-a-better-work-life-balance/
4. https://truesynergyinc.com/physical-and-mental-health-key-to-creating-a-productive- workplace/
5. https://join.modernhealth.com/rs/783-NRS-103/images/Future-of-the-mental-health-industry-report-2021-Modern-Health.pdf
6. https://hbr.org/2022/09/the-surprising-benefits-of-work-life-support
7. https://truesynergyinc.com/how-to-build-a-strong-company-culture/
