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Guest Post: 5 Tips for Happy Employees

As a leader, one of the most powerful tools at your disposal is the ability to inspire and uplift your team with optimism. HBR states that “inspired people make inspired workers make inspired companies”. However, Gallup finds 60% of people are emotionally detached at work and 19% are miserable. To address this, companies must strive to create inspiring workplaces which will promote positivity, engagement, and healthy culture. The benefits are well documented.

Employees prefer workplace wellbeing to material benefits. Wellbeing comes from one place, and one place only – a positive culture. Positivity not only boosts morale but also enhances productivity and fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment. In this blog post, we will explore five valuable tips ensuring employees are happy and belong.

Tips for Creating Inspiring Workplaces

1. Cultivate a Positive Mindset

As a leader, your attitude has a direct impact on your team members. According to McKinsey, relationships with management are the top factor in employees’ job satisfaction. So the first thing you can do is cultivate a positive mindset within yourself. Embrace a “can-do” attitude. Approach challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. When faced with obstacles, demonstrate resilience and determination. By showcasing a positive outlook, you inspire your employees to follow suit and view challenges as stepping stones toward success.

Also, clearly articulate a compelling vision and purpose. Help your team members understand how their individual contributions align with the larger goals. This sense of purpose and direction will inspire them to work towards a common objective.

2. Lead by Example

To inspire workplaces and inspire your team, lead by example. Your actions and behaviors speak louder than words. Showcase an optimistic approach in your daily communications with team members. Celebrate successes, no matter how small, and acknowledge individual contributions. When employees are recognized for their contributions, employee engagement and loyalty increase significantly. According to the State Of The Global Workplace report, actively engaged employees see an 18% decrease in staff turnover.

Also, leaders are the force that inspire and create better workplaces. It starts from the top of the organization and goes to the bottom. According to Gallup, managers are responsible for 70% of the variance in employee engagement. Hence, a bad manager influences employee engagement negatively, leading to less productivity and poor outcomes.

By setting a compelling vision and having a shared mission, leaders can propel the team forward, even in the face of challenges. Ultimately, when leaders inspire their teams, they create a ripple effect of enthusiasm and commitment that drives better results, innovation, and overall success.

3. Encourage Open Communication

Strategic communication is the foundation of any successful workplace. Encourage open and transparent communication within your team. Create an atmosphere where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and feedback.

According to research on job satisfaction and meeting management, properly led meetings boost employee engagement and retention. Gallup also states that employees who do have regular 1:1 meetings with their managers are 3 times more likely to be engaged.

Regularly hold team meetings or one-on-one discussions to check in with your team members. Actively listen to their perspectives and show empathy. Your attentiveness and receptiveness will demonstrate that their voices matter and they are valuable members of your team and organization.

Building employee trust is an important step to inspire the workplace. With trust comes better collaboration, loyalty, engagement, and productivity. It also leads to employee happiness, satisfaction, and inspiring workplaces.

4. Celebrate Achievements and Milestones

Recognizing and celebrating achievements, both big and small, is essential for fostering inspiring workplaces. Acknowledge individual and team successes to show your appreciation for their hard work. Publicly praise their accomplishments and let them know their efforts are valued. Public praise is far more inspirational and impactful than praises given privately.

A study showed that 37% of employees feel encouraged to do better work if they receive personal recognition. Additionally, an analysis of 1.7 million employee survey responses gathered that people who feel recognized at work are 2.2x more likely to bring new ideas and innovation forward.

Inspirational gifts for employees can play a vital role in celebrating milestones and work anniversaries. The key to a good gift is making it personalized. Consider their interests and hobbies. You may even involve a coworker close to them to ensure the gift makes the employee feel understood and valued as a person, not just a worker. Such thoughtful gestures will instill a sense of belonging in your team, reinforcing the positive work culture you aim to establish. Also consider giving awards or plaques, recognizing specific achievements or reaching important goals.

5. Foster a Culture of Continuous Learning

Promote a culture of continuous learning and personal growth in your workplace. The benefits are tangible. Deloitte found that:

They are 92% more likely to innovate.
Continuous learning firms are 46% more likely to be first to market.
They experience 37% higher productivity.

Encourage your team members to attend workshops, seminars, or training sessions to enhance their skills and knowledge. When employees see that their company invests in their development, they feel valued and motivated to excel in their roles. By investing in their development, you show your commitment to their professional growth. This commitment to professional growth fosters a positive work environment, leading to more inspiring workplaces for employees.

Additionally, make it a habit to seek opportunities to provide constructive feedback. Focus on highlighting strengths and offering suggestions for improvement rather than dwelling on shortcomings. This feedback loop promotes a growth mindset where individuals are open to learning from their experiences and actively seek ways to enhance their performance. Foster a sense of growth and development within your team and create an environment of continuous improvement.

Inspiring Workplaces Get Awarded

Lexipol, the leader in policy, training and wellness support for public safety and government leaders, has been named a winner in the 2022 North American Inspiring Workplaces Awards. Contributing to its inspiring workplace, Lexipol helps employees grow, develop and advance in their careers through purposeful training and continued learning opportunities.

For example, the company offers a mentorship program, partial tuition reimbursement, access to LinkedIn Learning, a speaker’s club to support public speaking improvement, and leadership development courses led by experts within the organization. Lexipol also places a high priority on its employee’s well-being, emphasizing work-life balance at all levels and offering a range of employee assistance programs and options.

If you feel like your organization is people-first, or has an inspiring and positive work culture, enter to be considered for an Inspiring Workplace Award.

Inspiring Leaders get recognition

Leading with optimism is a powerful leadership strategy that can transform communication and workplaces and inspire employees to achieve their full potential. By cultivating a positive mindset, leading by example, encouraging open communication, celebrating achievements, and fostering a culture of continuous learning, you will establish a work environment where optimism thrives.

Utilizing inspirational gifts for employees to complement your leadership efforts reinforces the message of positivity and appreciation. Remember that optimism is contagious, and your positive leadership will create a ripple effect, benefiting the entire organization. As a leader, you have the opportunity to be a catalyst for a workplace that is not only successful but also genuinely inspiring.

Do you know an inspiring leader? Someone that shows up everyday with a positive attitude and makes the workplace better? If they positively impact the organization, nominate them for the Inspiring Leader Award.