Research has shown time and again that happiness plays a large role in the productivity of employees. A study conducted by Google saw a 37% increase in productivity as a result of initiatives focused on improving employee morale. Financial incentives alone are often not enough to boost employee performance, as our brains are hardwired to respond to positivity. Here are 5 simple tips you can follow to help improve happiness in your team.
Show Appreciation and Recognition
Employees that feel valued are more likely to feel happy about their work. Take time to recognize positive contributions of the team. Not only will this make the recognized employee feel proud of their work, it can also incentivize others to work harder to achieve the same praise.
Get Your Team Members Invested
It’s most likely the case that financial gain was not your sole reason for starting your business. Maybe you’ve had a lifelong passion for helping others. Maybe you’ve always been fascinated with the science of dentistry. Whatever those reasons were, share them with your team. Knowing that they’re contributing to something bigger can help employees take pride in the work they do, no matter their role.
Set Clear Goals
When your employees don’t have a clear expectation of their role, it can be difficult for them to recognize whether or not they are performing well and can lead to increased stress about their work. By setting clear expectations of your employees and goals for your business as a whole, your employees will have a standard to judge their work against, and therefore be able to feel better about good performance.
Promote From Within
A common concern of employees is a fear that they won’t be able to advance within their current positions. By establishing a culture of development and promotion from within the company, you’re clearly communicating to your employees that you want them to see your office as a long-term home, not just another job.
Studies indicate that US companies lose about $500 billion annually due to loss of productivity caused by unhappiness at work. Don’t let your team be a part of this statistic. If you’re looking for additional strategies for running a happier, more productive office, contact our firm for solutions.