Being a good manager, CEO, or supervisor is a difficult task that’s been written about endlessly. New economy companies (especially in the tech sector) have notoriously flexible guidelines a bout behavior at work, with most managers taking a hands-off, “cool boss” or good friend approach to management. Studies have shown, too much structure can lead to decreased employee happiness and productivity. But being too hands off can also lead to more interpersonal conflicts when expectations aren’t clear, poor performance is ignored, and negative behavior is tolerated.
Achieving a balance between fun and professionalism at work is a tricky but worthy goal, and the two are not mutually exclusive. As the Society for Human Resource Management states, one of the best ways to improve relationships at work is to establish and maintain a culture of collaboration, respect, and cohesion. Easier said than done, right? Before you call the nearest ropes course and prepare yourself for trust falls, consider a less drastic, more practical approach to improving relationships and morale.
Celebrate Together
Everyone has their good and their bad days, both individually and collectively. When times are tough, you need your employees to support one another, but that can only be built by sharing in success over time. Don’t be the boss who lets an employee’s hard work go unrecognized or a team’s successes to go unnoticed. How you celebrate depends on your company’s unique style and culture, but it’s important to stay consistent and generous in your praise and recognition. Celebrating milestones and small wins is definitely worth while.
Eat Together
Sometimes the best ways to commune are the old fashioned ones. If your office doesn’t have a casual friendly place to eat, it can be hard for employees to develop informal relationships. Having some dedicated lunch times when you order in or hosting periodic team lunches out will increase chances for people from different teams getting to know each other. Don’t forget pizza, bagels, and potlucks for birthdays and holidays. Nothing brings people together like food!
Compete Together – and Against One Another
Sometimes too much cooperation is a bad thing. How about introducing a little healthy competition? Getting your team out of their normal routine and into a friendly game of kickball, cards, or even video games can be a good way to build relationships that will continue back in the office. Raffles, competitions, tournaments, and sports leagues can all promote better group dynamics, so allow your staff to organize some fun outside of the office.
For more insights into HR trends in the 21st century or to learn how to better implement and streamline your company’s HR services, contact the team at Reverb today!
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