The (Truly) Happy Work Environment
Is your company as cohesive as it could be?
Submitted by: Don Andreasen, President, Andreasen Communications
Be honest. How unified is your company? How many people are truly happy at work? Do Mondays (as the recent Monster.com commercial suggests) seem to be the ultimate act of personal drudgery? Is Wednesday "hump day" and Friday "TGIF"?
I already hear the cynical voices out there reading this column saying, "everyone feels this way at work." I’d like to invite a differing opinion, one that suggests not only is this not the case, but that your company is an atmosphere of great joy, fun, cohesion and productivity waiting to happen.
Allow me to first address management in the discussion, followed by the employees. I recently consulted at a law firm where I heard a first-year Associate explain, "It’s very difficult for me to speak with the Partners of the firm. It’s not that I’m afraid, but they make it seem like either I’ve only got two minutes to say something or that they’ve got more pressing issues to attend to."
Lack of communication or specifically, the desire to be "heard" is one of the major complaints I hear from employees pertaining to management. Think about it: everybody wants to be recognized. It feels especially nice when you know that the boss is concerned about you and wants you to feel like a part of the team.
Next, do you listen and try to implement change that addresses staff needs and concerns? One such company allowed (through careful thought and planning) a more flexible work schedule that really made a huge difference in the happiness (and productivity I might add) of the workers.
Let’s turn our attention to the employees' side of the equation. Firstly, it's helpful to understand that management loves accountability in the workforce. Do you do what you say you’re going to do by the time you say you’re going to do it? (I have other tongue twisters, if interested.) Do you put your best foot forward each day with a positive attitude, helping out in areas that might not necessarily fall under your job description? Lastly (and bear with me on this one) do you pursue outside interests or do you make your job your only source of activity in a given week? This might not be discussed enough, but when you are happy and fulfilled in other aspects of your life (your job can’t be the end all and be all) you bring that happiness into the workplace.
I’ve only just scratched the surface here in terms of realizing happiness in the workplace, I’m well aware. But one thing I’m certain of (because I do see it and experience it) is that working in a supportive and happy environment is possible in every area of business with the help of true and open communication and a desire to work as a collective, collaborative unit.
(Don Andreasen is President and Founder of Andreasen Communications, a Presentation & Communications Skills company. More information about Don and the company can be found at: www.andreasencom.com)
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