Every good manager puts a lot of thought and effort into team building. An effective team is the key to success. And once you have assembled the team you can believe in, you need to make sure they stick around. It is no secret that the best employees do get pressured to move to other organizations. Having a good workplace environment is one way to help protect your investment. With all things being equal, most people prefer to stay where they are and build on what they have already started. But nagging factors at work can trigger your best to seek out greener pasture. Maintaining a healthy work environment is also an excellent way to encourage productivity and reduce daily office stress. Here are some ways you can make positive changes.
• Climate: Air quality in the workspace is one of the most significant sources of stress at work. Even once you get used to the suboptimal air at a location, your body will still show signs of stress. An office space that has trouble with air quality, temperature, or humidity, will affect productivity and morale. Studies have shown that irritability, distractedness, low energy, and even sleep disorders can be caused by poor quality air. Having your air quality assessed is one way to understand what you are dealing with and your options for making things better. Humidity control can make a big difference. In addition, you might want to investigate an adiabatic humidifier from Air Solutions, or maybe a complete upgrade of your office HVAC system.
• Facilities: Many studies have been conducted on how the interior design and the facilities at a workspace can affect morale and job satisfaction. Some facts are universally known. Features such as natural light and comfortable surroundings make a difference. It would help if you also got to know how your team perceives the workspace and some of the things that aggravate them. Maybe some of your open office people would be better off with a more private space. Or vice versa. Maybe your break area is too crowded or unappealing. Here is an interesting article about how effective online safety training is, something we should all consider. Do your employees have places where they can conduct private calls or conversations? A multitude of mildly stressful features can add up to dislike of the whole job.
• Morale and Team Dynamics: One of the most complicated parts of managing a team is navigating the complexities of team dynamics. It is a vast area of study because it is a significant factor in job performance and loyalty. How to make teams work together effectively is an area that genuinely tests leadership qualities, but if a manager is both consistent and fair and seen to be listening to their people’s concerns. Then they are going to inspire diligence and loyalty. That is the lion’s share of what is required to create an effective team.
As a manager or someone in a leadership position, you should always be aware of conditions and situations in the workplace that are in your power to improve. Good people are very difficult to replace. Therefore, it is usually better to create a healthy, comfortable, and mutually beneficial environment than insist your team struggles through adversity.
