8 KEYS TO PROMOTING A GOOD WORKING CLIMATE

A positive work environment contributes to better team productivity and a greater commitment to the workplace and the business. As a result, we will also obtain an improvement in customer satisfaction.

For this reason, it is of the highest importance that the working environment is appropriate, pleasant and stimulating to achieve a motivated and productive team. Defining a correct work climate strategy is essential.

As it has been demonstrated on many occasions, an excellent working climate favours the achievement of general objectives. In contrast, a bad working atmosphere destroys the working environment and, as a result, causes conflict situations and low production for the business.

It is therefore essential that all companies define a strategy for work motivation and monitor it to obtain optimal and appropriate results to help in decision making, always to improve business performance.

In this article, we will see how motivation is affected by different aspects, such as the way of working and relating, employee-company interaction, task management or internal communication, among many others. Next, we want to share a series of strategies to follow:

1. PROMOTE RESPECT

A leader who orders and harshly demands tasks, with contempt and raising the tone of voice, will show a lack of leadership and empathy. All of this is detrimental to the work environment, productivity and personal relationships.

Promoting respect and tolerance above all is of great importance in fostering team harmony.

2. LOOKING FOR FEEDBACK WITH EMPLOYEES

Each employee should feel like a person, and not a number within an organisation is significant. People like to feel integrated and have their opinion taken into account. This helps them gain a sense of being part of a project.

Also, feedback with employees must be worked on carefully and continuously. You have to invest time and space to listen to your team.

This is not hypocrisy, but rather the achievement of various objectives: ideas for improvement in different areas of the organisation, recognition of problems in a more straightforward way, identification of employees who detract from the value of your company and elements that slow down evolution, as well as realising the opposite: high-performing employees who add value to the business or identifying high-potential employees who have great potential both individually and collectively and a great capacity to assume leadership roles within a successful organisation. Taking care of equality in relations with employees and also between them is another point to take into account. Ensure that there is no discrimination, lack of criteria in team decisions or lack of camaraderie, as these jeopardise the working environment.

By working on each of these points, we almost certainly ensure a high degree of motivation of our team.

3. LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Flexibility in the face of different situations that arise in the work environment and that are dealt with in a personalised way generates a positive work climate that promotes the success of the business. 

Knowing how to manage day-to-day crises properly is vital. Maintaining calm, order, transmitting the right message to the team and showing confidence in the management of the problem are some aspects that help your employees to have absolute confidence in you as a leader. 

Another critical aspect is getting employees involved. Generating it is essential through leadership techniques and appropriate working conditions to avoid, for example, absenteeism or poor performance.

4. RECOGNITION OF EMPLOYEES

When a well-done job is not recognised, the working climate can progressively deteriorate. That is why the company needs to have a recognition system that rewards and acknowledges achievements.

People like to feel valued and think that their opinions and tasks count. For example, encouraging employees to participate in the decision-making process of a business will make them feel part of the team and is a way of transmitting to them that they are essential to us even in deciding where the organisation wants to go.

Gaining the trust of employees is the goal.

Approaching employees and gaining their trust is one of the main tasks to encourage a good working climate.

Thanking the team for its work and recognising its merits is a way of sending a clear message to all employees, who will feel valued and reassured by working with the company’s managers and will not hesitate to turn to them for new proposals or concerns.

5. APPROPRIATE WORKPLACE

The workplace is where employees spend most of their day-to-day time. This is why certain essential aspects must be considered to make them feel comfortable.

A spacious workplace, with a fair distribution, good lighting, with a defined and clean order, will allow the team to work correctly and will improve their well-being and their performance within the company.

The decoration of the workplace can help to create a pleasant atmosphere. Whiteboards, where team members can share ideas and comments, inspiring pictures and brand feeling through different attributes, are some possible ideas.

Outdated and malfunctioning equipment and work tools can be frustrating and make it difficult for employees to do their jobs efficiently.

6. TIME FLEXIBILITY

Many studies already confirm that the regular office hours of 9 am to 6 pm tend to be less and less efficient at the productive level in companies.

Not all people work productively at the same hours and flexible hours also help to reconcile family and personal life.

Employees will appreciate the gesture and feel personally valued.

Another option is to offer to telework if the business allows it. Being able to work from home once a week, for example. The idea is to use by goals and objectives rather than covering the hours on the clock.

This degree of autonomy given to people favours a good climate.

7. PROCESSES, TASKS AND ORGANISATION

Workers need to have clear protocols and procedures in their work. Both on an individual and organisational level, having these points developed facilitates the achievement of objectives and promotes a right working environment.

8. AND, FINALLY, TO PROMOTE TEAM BUILDING

Carrying out activities outside the business space will reinforce the idea of teamwork and camaraderie. It is an ideal way to combat stress in a more relaxed environment.

Integration is essential to improve the organisational climate and commitment to the organisation. So, why not a working day spent on a paintball, room scape or barbecue in the countryside?

The difference between being able to work these points or not is what will allow us to have an excellent working climate or not. Let us remember that satisfied and motivated employees are productive employees.

Working quickly on the work environment does not mean that we get results in the short term, quite the contrary. It takes time, but it will bring great benefits in all aspects.