Most managers strive to create a workplace where their
employees look forward to coming to work every day and the team works
effectively and efficiently together through the day.
This article gives you some ideas as to how a manager can
create an amazing work environment.
Get to know each other
Let employees get to know each other. Have potluck lunches or get everyone out of
the office periodically to allow for employees to socialize on a more
personalized basis. Share laughs with
employees.
Get out of your office
A manager can’t create an amazing environment by not being
visible and staying in their office with a closed door. Don’t isolate yourself. Walk the floor. Be available.
Think Team
Aristotle said “The whole is greater than the sum of its
parts”. Try to have employees think of
the big picture and put the organization’s needs ahead of their own. Focus on celebrating team accomplishments instead
of identifying individual accomplishments.
Reward the team for achieving goals or reaching certain targets.
Pay competitively
Pay your employees market compensation subject to budget
limitations. Ensure compensation between
employees is fair based on responsibilities and seniority. Tie extra perks to achievement of goals.
Create a comfortable environment
Have a safe, comfortable and esthetically pleasing
environment. Tidy up. Upgrade furniture if necessary. Brighten up
the environment by allowing more natural light into the work area.
Define clear expectations
Have high expectations of your team, but not too high that
they are perceived to be unattainable right from the start. Set goals that can be easily measured and are
easily viewed by everyone, such as posting them on whiteboards. Have the team be involved in setting the
goals.
Resolve disputes quickly
Don’t let disputes or disagreements continue unchecked. Address problem areas on a timely basis. Resolve disputes behind closed doors. Handle all situations on a professional
basis.
Set policies
Have policies and procedures in place to address any issues
that might occur.
Build Trust
Communicate regularly in an open and positive manner. Let employees voice their disagreement with any
policies, procedures, methods or decisions.
Adapt to the team
Adopt a different management style depending on each team
member. Allow for flexibility in policies if necessary. Recognize differences in employee needs based
on gender, religion, age and other factors that might differentiate employees.
Give credit, take blame
Give credit to others for successes and take responsibility
for errors, mistakes and oversights.
Encourage breaks
Make sure that people are taking breaks or vacation when
needed. Recognize when an employee may
be getting stressed and needs time off.
Give feedback
Give immediate feedback – good or bad – as it happens. Don’t wait for annual performance appraisals.
Highlight an employee’s strengths and work with them to improve their weaknesses. Don’t sugar coat problems - address problem
issues quickly before they can grow into bigger problems. Give your employees
work that they enjoy doing.
Encourage ideas
Make sure that employees have the opportunity to make
suggestions to improve the workplace or the team. Have regular meetings to encourage
brainstorming.
CONCLUSION
There are many ways to create an amazing work
environment. Following some of the tips
noted above will help, but it is also a long term process and not something
that can be quickly turned on.
*******
Marc Belaiche is a
CPA, CA and is President of TorontoJobs.ca, an internet recruitment business
and recruiting firm located in the Greater Toronto Area in Canada. Marc
has been in the recruitment industry since 1995. TorontoJobs.ca allows
companies to post their positions online, search a resume database to find
candidates, provides outplacement services and full temporary and permanent
recruitment services. TorontoJobs.ca also allows candidates to search and apply
to positions directly online and get career, interviewing and resume tips all
at no charge. Marc is also President of TorontoEntrepreneurs.ca, an
organization geared towards business owners (see www.TorontoEntrepreneurs.ca) and has the annual Toronto Entrepreneurs Conference (see www.TorontoEntrepreneurs.ca/conference).
You can reach Marc at marc.belaiche@torontojobs.ca and check out TorontoJobs.ca at www.TorontoJobs.ca.
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