The secret behind a productive work environment

It doesn't matter what your area of ​​expertise is or what you want to work with someday. You are very likely to have your productivity charged and evaluated at all times, and do you know what can help you meet your goals? Happiness.

The good news in this regard is that more and more research is being done to show companies that investing in more positive workplaces has great returns on employee productivity.

Until recently, what was known was that environments of high levels of stress and pressure forced employees to produce more and more. This style of “production incentive, ” so to speak, also has its downside, which is nothing but health problems and spending - companies that work with this high-pressure tactic simply have twice as much spending on healthcare.

According to Stanford University Emma M. Seppälä, who writes to Psychology Today, between 60% and 80% of work-related injuries are related to stress, which causes health problems such as metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in general. . According to Seppälä, it is proven that stress may initially even increase employee productivity, but in the long run has the opposite effect.

This opposite effect, in turn, costs companies dearly, and since profit is usually the biggest concern, perhaps this is the appeal that was lacking for some changes in business attitude. Seppälä builds on a study by the Queens' School of Business, which found that demotivated workers are 37% more absent from work, suffer 49% more accidents, and make 60% more mistakes than motivated and happy workers.

The same survey found that in companies whose employees say they are unhappy with their work environment, productivity is 18% lower, as is corporate profit, which is 16% lower than that of companies with satisfied employees. This is reflected even in the stock market: the stock price of companies with dissatisfied employees is 65% lower than that of model companies.

Still not convinced that a motivating environment really makes a difference? Then there is more: in companies that do not provide a good work environment, about half of employees end up looking for a way to have extra income, so that in the future they can get rid of the workplace. And do you know what it means to replace an employee with a new one? Expenses for the employer.

According to Seppälä, it is not difficult to create a work environment that can make employees happy. It bets on six points that can be adopted by business leaders:

  • Show interest and concern for employees;
  • Offer support whenever possible and even act with generosity and compassion;
  • Avoid blaming employees and try to forgive any mistakes;
  • Try to inspire people to work better;
  • Always emphasize the importance of the work of these employees;
  • Treat everyone with respect, gratitude, trust and integrity.

To develop these points, Seppälä sets out four steps, proven to be effective when it comes to motivating people:

1 - Interpersonal Relations

Do you know what happens when people have a good relationship with coworkers? They produce more and are happier. Not only that, they get sick less often, recover twice as fast if they need surgery, have less depression, learn more, and have a good memory. Not long ago? For know that they are even more tolerant to pain.

Research by Sarah Pressman of the University of California found that the likelihood of people dying earlier is 20% higher for those who are obese; 30% higher for alcoholics; 50% higher for smokers; but 70% higher for people with little social interaction.

2 - The good old empathy

Tests assessing brain activity have already revealed that when an employee says his boss does not show empathy or kindness, his brain activates specific regions associated with feelings of aversion and negativity. Putting yourself in someone else's shoes and understanding employees' limitations, expectations and wishes is therefore a good attitude.

3 - It is important to help

Sometimes an employee needs help from the boss, and when he or she requests this help, he or she simply does not receive it or is insufficiently given. The chances of this employee staying true to the boss? Very low, of course.

A study by Jonathan Haidt of New York University has shown that when a company's leaders act fairly, help their employees and ask for help, the work environment is more harmonious, in the sense that workers will be friendlier to each other, offering help as well and thereby increasing productivity.

4 - Feedback

A good leader is one who not only gives feedback to his employees but asks to be honestly evaluated. This leader knows that he has defects, even if he does his job as best he can, so he accepts constructive criticism.

Here comes a lot of ego issues, of course, after all not everyone is good at criticism, just as not all people can criticize without feeling uncomfortable. The truth is that, starting from the basic and true principle that we will never be perfect, we can feel free to admit our weaknesses and, from there, work to improve the situation.

Harvard's Amy Edmondson has proven that humility in the business environment always improves when it comes to productivity. Leaders who give voice to the team they coordinate often reap excellent results.

This kind of dialogue between boss and subordinates is nothing more than the basic principle of teamwork, which always has positive results, contrary to the corporate culture of pressure and fear. Moreover, just as a bad work environment causes damage to employee health, a positive environment has beneficial effects in this regard. Is it a good idea to start sharing this kind of information?

* Posted on 12/09/2015

***

Did you know that Curious Mega is also on Instagram? Click here to follow us and stay on top of exclusive curiosities!