How to build a positive workplace

Last time I looked at how a company can benefit from a positive and confident outlook. However, making this happen is a little more difficult, but there are five simple things that can senior management can do to help achieve this:

The attitude of the boss
It’s simple really, but if a boss listens, has a open and happy demeanor and is helpful, as well as encouraging and praising their team, it can do wonders for everyone concerned.

People are given the environment where they have a voice that will be listened to and will not keep their ideas to themselves, fearing ridicule, but will be allowed to share their ideas and thrive.

Get the right balance between confidence and arrogance
This is important for an individual and a company. Arrogance can be off-putting for colleagues and customers and it does not encourage positive teamwork and cooperation, in fact, it alienates others.

Someone who is truly confident has faith in their knowledge and ability, and realises that they can support colleagues and help them grow, without fearing they are making their own position vulnerable. They are also honest enough to ask for support themselves and listen to others’ opinions – a great sign of someone who is confident. This creates a pleasant but challenging environment, where everyone becomes more confident.

Focus on the positives, rather than dwell on the negatives
A boss should avoid creating a negative environment either about the company or on aspects of people’s jobs. If there is too much of this, people will not believe they can succeed. Those in charge should make a point of communicating success stories to their team.

A team needs support and encouragement to inspire them to achieve more. This could mean greater sales, resulting in more commission or promotion. Remember the words that for any human being – there is nothing better than hearing ‘well done’. Those are the two best words ever invented and are simple to say.

Find a catalyst to change the atmosphere of the workplace
As Bruce Springsteen once sang, “You can’t start a fire without a spark” and sometimes you need to do something to inspire and change people’s mindset. Try and do something that sends out a positive message to the whole company, and their your competitors.

This is something that can be done as a company, as a team or as an individual. It is possible through one action to totally change the atmosphere in a very short period of time.

Make people feel like they can succeed and get promoted
Self-confidence is very important and is a key component of a successful person who wants to grow and advance their career. Projecting confidence in the workplace may be the difference between success and failure.

However, those in charge need to ensure these people stay with the company and know their aspirations can be fulfilled. If this is the case, they will work harder and give more to the company. As a boss it is vital to show strength and command respect from your team and colleagues. If members of your team develop and succeed it will mean you and your company will too. You will also maximise your team’s potential and your colleagues will respond accordingly and up their game.

Creating confidence and a positive air is hard to put your finger on – it’s almost not real, but can make or break bigger entities than an individual or company, it can do damage to a whole country and its economy.

There is great confidence in the building and construction industry at the moment and has been for the last 12 months or so, but what has really changed that feeling? Perhaps, people have finally got fed up with the negative news and decided to be positive and focus on the good. It could be that simple. Try it in your job or company.

This article is published in collaboration with LinkedIn. Publication does not imply endorsement of views by the World Economic Forum.

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Author: Steve Rogan is the Founder & Managing Director of Pinnacle Consulting.

Image: Facebook employees work in the design studio at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California. REUTERS.