It doesn’t necessarily matter what position you have in your career, from Recruiting IT professionals, to being the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of a Fortune 500 Company. Trying to stay positive and focused in the workplace seems like a losing battle. No matter the level of success you may accomplish, you may struggle to keep a smile on your face. The following are some tips to provide a more positive environment for your team.
1. Make an Attitude Adjustment, It Starts at the Top
- Build Trust
- Communicate Postively and Openly
Many people, who consider themselves not working for an individual belief or passion, will make an assumption that they will have a poor and negative day before they even walk through the office doors. From the minute they roll out of bed, they toss and turn and think of how miserable the day in front of them will be. Does this sound like you?
To change this attitude, it’s important that we do away with this train of thought. All things will not go wrong! Replace the feelings of dread and try to focus on the positive: like how much fun you will have when you see your co-workers, what delicious items you will have for breakfast and lunch, or maybe the entertaining scenery you may see on your commute.
A happy boss equates to happy employees.
2. Co Workers and Employees are Your Friends, Not Your Enemies
- Expect the Best from your Staff
- Build Team Spirit
Today, the average person spends anywhere from 40-50 hours a week in the office. You will most likely spend more time in the office with your coworkers than with family, friends, significant others, your dog, cat, etc.
It is absolutely understandable that Tommy’s complaining about his mother-in-law or how Susie won’t stop talking about her new boyfriend will get old, but disliking them will not make your attitude at work any better. At the very least, find solace in the fact that their problems are not your own.
Additionally, make sure you treat everyone the same. Just because you have a higher salary grade or title than someone does not make you better than they are. Make sure you stay transparent and stay away from office politics.
3. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
- Take Responsibility
- Help Find Solutions
So what if you spill some coffee or tea on your desk? Life will go on. The largest mistakes people make is that they take out their negative experiences and create even more negative experiences with the people around them. This does not create a healthy work environment.
Make sure you are doing your best to stay positive with everything that happens. Instead of getting stressed out, try to fix the problem and then move on. For more advice on how to remedy an office blunder, check out this blog from my co-worker Marissa.
4. Recruit Like-Minded People
- Know what they do best, and leverage it
- Trust them to Act
This is simple as it gets: if you want your team to be successful, you must park your ego at the door. There will always be differences in personality dynamics but to help foster a positive work environment, learn to attract and recruit only like-minded people.
It is imperative to try and find people whom are willing to take risk and not afraid to make mistakes. Make sure that it is communicated to employees initially that self-serving prophecies will not be tolerated, and that decisions need to be made for the better of the team.
5. Staying on Schedule, Organizing and Motivating Your Employees
- See Opportunities more than Problems
- Clearly Define Expectations
Sometimes we make work harder for us than it should be. If you can’t find your keyboard under the piles of paper on your desk, it may be time to take some time and organize your stacks into filing cabinets. Someone who keeps a tidy and clean workplace typically translates to one that is efficient in scheduling and organizing their time.
Additionally, find some importance in putting up pictures from your personal life. Some of this maybe of your significant other, your dog, your daughter’s silly artwork, or good times with friends. This will help to keep you focused and grounded to the important things in life. From the time you wake up in the morning all the way through when you leave in the evening, maintain a positive attitude and most likely this attitude will become contagious to the rest of your staff.
While you probably don’t have a team of cheerleaders following you around, constantly encourage yourself. Maintain a positive attitude, even when some around you work to wear you down. For more tips on how to motivate, check out this advice from my co-worker Nancy.
6. Have Some Fun
- Embrace and Value Diversity
- Believe in the Team
Don’t be afraid to play music at work, or embrace a creative atmosphere. Companies like Google are famous for their innovative, yet productive, workplaces. Take an employee or two out to share lunch from time to time, or even go on a walk. Go on Facebook and Twitter during your breaks.
Don’t be afraid to a little playing while you are at work; just make sure your team does more working than playing!
7. Leave it at the Door
- Protect from Bureaucracy
- Keep Out of the Way
Everyone has a personal life outside of the workplace. Try to leave any issues or stress at the door. Think of the workplace as a get-away from any types of stress or issues at home. It is not fair for your teamto bring outside issues into the office. If it doesn’t relate to work, keep it to yourself.
When you walk through the front door of your workplace, make it a goal to close the door on all your troubles, leaving them behind you. Work can be stressful enough; if you bring financial, relationship, and family problems along with you, the workplace can quickly become very frustrating, and your team’s productivity will suffer. However, by following the aforementioned advice, you can cultivate a positive environment and reap the rewards of a happy team.
About Profiles
Profiles is a unique staffing firm specializing in Marketing employment, Creative, and Web & IT jobs. Since 1998, we have served the needs of our Clients and Talent by matching the best candidates with the best companies in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Author Name – Darren Bailin
Title – Business Development Consultant
Location – Baltimore, MD
Twitter – @dbbailin
Byline – Darren has been in the Recruiting and Staffing industry for over 3 years. His adventurous personality leads him to travel at every opportunity possible. Recently married on the beaches of Punta Cana, Darren now resides in Federal Hill, Maryland with his wife Sara and their dog Riley.
