If you are like many people, you spend a significant amount of time at work. You have probably learned how terrible it is to have to dread going. Research suggests that stressful and unpleasant working conditions can affect numerous things outside of work including health and personal relationships. For these reasons and many more, creating a positive work environment can be a benefit to you and your co-workers. You can contribute by being positive, making people feel important, and caring for others.
The first thing you can do to create a positive work environment is to be positive. Try to counter negative thoughts and occurrences with positive rebuttals and solutions. Do not become a participant in groaning groups or manager-bashing sessions. Instead, try to encourage everyone to have a positive opinion about everyone else and about their work.
Do not gossip and try to dissuade others from doing so. If you do not have experience with being the subject in the rumor mill, surely you can imagine what it must be like to have your co-workers whispering and giggling behind your back. When you hear people gossiping, refuse to participate and be proactive. Make comments that suggest that their behavior is inappropriate or that the topic they are discussing is not your business.
A positive work environment is one where people feel they are surrounded by people who care. Professionalism should never be jeopardized, but people should feel as if there is someone they can talk to if they have problems inside or outside of work. Building frustrations in peoples’ lives can often be averted by a kind act or a listening ear. If you notice someone seems to be experiencing problems, reach out to her.
While it is a part of life that some positions rank higher, pay more, and involve more important duties than others, no one wants to feel as if they are at the bottom of the barrel. A high level of respect and inclusiveness are elements of a positive work environment. Try to eliminate caste systems, whereby employees working in certain positions display blatant attitudes of haughtiness or exclude other employees unnecessarily. Also, make everyone feel as if their efforts are being recognized.
A positive work environment is one where people can see a positive future. There are several ways to help people recognize their potential or to spark the motivation within people to go beyond their current positions. One way to do this is to institute a policy of giving preference to promotion over new hires or to suggest such a policy to those who can make the decision. It can also be motivational to identify workers’ strengths and talents and to encourage them along those paths.
