Creating a Positive Work Environment

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

What does a “negative” work environment look like?

What does a “positive” work environment look like?

Objectives• Building Trust• Positive Communication• Setting Expectations and Needs• Creative Ideas for Recognition and Rewards• Building Team Work• Finding Meaning in Your Work• Accepting Responsibility• Humor in the workplace

Building Trust

• Return all phone calls and emails• Follow up, even if it’s with “I don’t know” or “I have to check into it.”• Walk the talk• Be honest and authentic• Don’t gossip• Ask yourself “what more can I do to build trust with my colleagues,

managers and family members?”

Positive Communication• 80% of the words should be positive• Seven Minute whining rule• A positive communicator sounds like….

What can I learn from this situation I can totally handle it I need helpHow can I help you I want to understand, make sure I hear what you are saying.

• Mix up the way you communicate, some verbal, some email, some text, some phone

Setting Expectations and Needs

• Be honest about what you can and cannot do

• Always set the bar as high as you possibly can

• Be a good planner

• Listen, listen, listen

Creative Ideas for Recognition and Rewards• Smile Teams (Pall Corp. Michigan)• Ice Cream/Fruit and Veggie Socials• Birthday and Anniversary Celebrations• Ask employees what works• Everyone is different…so, shake it up• Please and Thank Yous go a long way• Wall of praises

Building Team Work

• Every team member needs to:

Have a genuine interest in every team member

Be an empathetic team member

Feel free to express opinions and ideas

Find Meaning in Your Work

• Recognize that people want to know that their job matters

• Show value

• Understand how their work fits into the big picture

• Get involved in community activities

Accept Responsibility• Be prepared for:

– The stressful days– The negative people– The mistakes– The conflicts– The disappointments

• The Benefits of professionalism– Be organized – have respect for your workspace– Have a positive thought for the day

Motivational Thought

Ben and Jerry’s has a “Graveyard” of all the flavors that have “flopped”

How does this create a positive work environment?

Appropriate Not Appropriate

• The “fish” philosophy– It engages people– Makes them feel better– It encourages them

• It is just plain “fun”

• Sarcasm• Never put people down

Humor in the Workplace

Group Activity

With the one or two people next to you – share one idea you have that you could start doing that would make your work

environment more positive.

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WorkLife4You Resources

• Daily Needs Web Service– Relationships Library

• On the Job Web Service– Business Etiquette Library– Working with Others Library– Workplace Library

• Interactive QuizzesTeam vs. Individual Orientation Test, Communication Skills Test, Emotional IQ Test, Patience Test, Anger Test

• Audio Tips and PodcastsHow to Shine at Work: Pathways to Productivity

• On Demand WebinarsBuilding Better Relationships Through Effective Communication, Understanding and Communicating with a Multigenerational Workforce, Diversity in the Workplace

• WorkLife4You GuidesCommunication Skills for Healthy Relationships, Conflict Resolution, Dealing with Difficult People, Tips for a Healthy Marriage, Business Etiquette

• Related Web Sites• HTML Articles

WorkLife4You web site www.WorkLife4You.com

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