Getting the Workplace Environment right

The workplace can be a complicated environment. But getting it right will reap massive benefits to the people in it and the business will thrive.

As a leader in the workplace, facilitating a good working environment is the most important aspect of your role.

How do you ensure that the physical, mental and emotional demands of all your team members are met, when many of their requirements may not be the same? Or when the workforce is dispersed in multiple locations for large amounts of time, either at clients sites, working from home, or in the office?

The key lies within the actions and behaviours that you demonstrate in every interaction that you have with the team. Setting a consistent standard of the expectations that you have of yourself and therefore of others.

• Ensure that the physical workplace is safe and conducive to the work. Are there any risks or hazards? If there are, include the team in developing controls to eliminate, or at least mitigate the risk. If there are any new risks, raise an incident (or near miss) to raise the issue and share the learning and the improvements developed as a consequence.

• Ensure that the team has the tools and skills to do the job. Ask them what they need. Whether it is new equipment or training.

• Provide them with an element of control over their work. Even if it’s just by sharing an opinion of the work that they do and a voice for how they would like to improve it. Show them trust by giving them space - don’t micromanage.

• Get to know each team member and understand their reason for working - the What’s in it for me.

• Communicate the business objectives to the team and relate these to each individuals work. Give them all a sense of purpose.

• Show value in their work and demonstrate how their work impacts and connects with the other team members work.

• Show the team that you are vulnerable and don’t have all the answers, but that with their help, the team will find the solutions.

• Embrace the differences in the team members. Everybody has their own beliefs and experiences which mean that they have unique strengths (and areas for development). Combining these will give your team an advantage. Show them that the differences are your strengths.

• Ensure that any discrimination between team members is handled quickly and effectively. You need the team to have a sense of belonging and camaraderie. One dissenting voice can disrupt this and needs to be managed effectively.

• Check in with each team member regularly. Outside influences (family issues, illnesses and other social aspects of their lives) can impact their performance and an empathetic approach can help them and also demonstrate that you care and value them.

Remember, you are only as good as the performance of the team. Dedicate the majority of your time in ensuring that they are working to their optimal level. Demonstrating that you are part of the team and their work is important will benefit them, the team and the organisation.