Our team’s work environment influences everyone’s ability to succeed or fail. There is no doubt that our teams are busy every day. There are endless work days of analysis, report making, and researching answers from customer inquiries. Don’t forget about monthly close, which is a week of frenzied activity you can never get back.
As leaders, how can we make the work place more enjoyable and more pleasant? It definitely begins with our own attitude and how we treat people. Do we show up to the office grumpy barking orders and asking for immediate status updates? Or do we say, “good morning” and create a more pleasant beginning to the day? I agree that you may need an update because your boss may be asking for one, but we can be more encouraging and supportive of the challenges everyone faces each day.
“As CEO of a big company, I have to be a kind of a champion of the interests of our people as insofar as their ability to do their job, to feel comfortable in their work environment, and to be able to fulfill their ambitions.” -Lloyd Blankfein, Goldman Sachs
For a Finance or Accounting team member, nothing is more frustrating than waiting on others to send us data to create reports. Then we realize we must chase missing data. Sometimes these reports are not even necessary, but we don’t realize it. How can we make this better? Can an IT process be created to automatically produce these reports? Is more training required for those inputting the data?
How We Can Create a More Positive Work Environment
Treating Everyone with Fairness and Dignity
- Your team members will respond positively if you apply the same standards to everyone and that you speak and act with respect always. We don’t publicly belittle even when someone is not performing or acting properly.
- We will provide the same chance for everyone to perform better. If not, then you can ask Human Resources to take the appropriate action.
- Keep everyone accountable to the same high standard.
Being approachable and positive
- Can your team approach you when they get stuck? Are you negative or willing to listen?
- As leaders, we are the beginning of a positive experience even when we are having a terrible day. We set the mood for the day with our attitude, our tone of voice, our facial expressions, and our approach to the daily challenges.
Everyday management and leadership techniques
- Establish a purpose we can all focus our efforts. It doesn’t matter what type of business you work in. If customers pay your business for products and services, then you can create a higher purpose around that customer experience.
- We strive to communicate clearly and concisely. Share relevant information quickly.
- Prioritize the workload so we can eliminate distractions. Be aware if others are tasking your team. We also ensure our own work doesn’t take us away from our team when they need us.
Resourcing your team for success
- Ensure that your team members have what they need: computers, supplies, software applications, desk space, etc.
- What would make their job easier?
Providing opportunities to excel and promotions
- We dedicate the time and effort to grow our team. We invest resources and time.
- We create opportunities for our team members to excel and prepare for greater responsibility.
The work environment in the office begins with us as the leaders. Our attitude sets the day and sets how our team members engage with the work ahead of them. Our encouragement can get them through tough challenges and over obstacles.
How can you create a more positive work experience for your team at your company?
Please comment or email me at comment@stephenmclain.com.
Copyright 2019 – Stephen McLain
