5 ways to create a more positive workplace

Although management teams and leaders would like to think their workplace is without issues, animosity or difficulties, chances are that is not the case. An office can be close to perfect, but there are usually one or two underlying issues or people who may throw off complete happiness or productivity.
One or two employees don’t have to derail workplace success, and they don’t have to be fired. When given the right tools and encouraged to use other thought processes, employees can change.
Positivity is a key factor in employee success, retention and productivity. Research detailed in U.S. News & World Report indicates that four key psychological resources (self-efficacy, hope, optimism and resilience) can influence how employees approach their daily tasks and responsibilities.
There are many ways to cultivate these feelings in employees. Implement the following five tips into your workplace for more positive, happy employees:

• Balance the negatives: No matter how much is changed or helped, not every negative may be eliminated. Balance the negatives with reinforced positives. If an outcome didn’t happen as planned, instead of focusing on only what went wrong, focus on what went right too. Positive energy and thought can go a long way in an office environment.
• Communicate effectively: Give workers both negative and positive feedback. Value their work without solely focusing on how it can improve, but what they did well also. Let employees know in advance when performance reviews will be so they can prepare feedback for you. Communication is most effective when it is a two-way street.
• Focus on the job: If positivity is being affected by outside issues, refocus the attention of the group on work-related information. Although attention can be focused on outside activities such as weekend plans or approaching vacations, these can create problems as well. Use authority, in a positive, kind manner to reinforce a focus on work that needs to be accomplished.
• Start with leadership: Positivity begins with you. Management and leadership teams are the first place workers look to and learn from. Advocate positive, happy work practices beginning with your own feelings and productivity. Engage in an open door policy for workers to voice concerns, hold open forums for change or simply start the day off with a good morning. A smile can go a long way when it comes to a good day.
• Visualize success: As one of seven tips in Mastery’s ‘The Seven Keys to a Positive Mental Attitude‘ e-learning course, knowing where you want to end up is always a good starting point when beginning to create a change. Visualizing future goals through a sequence of planned events will help change a work environment one step at a time.

Mastery has a large library of mobile-enabled, e-learning courses available for employee development. Employee development begins with the training  your company implements.  Visit our website for more information.
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