Originally published on Forbes.com on October 2, 2017.
With 70% of Americans actively disengaged from their jobs, creating a workplace environment that employees enjoy is key to providing fulfillment. One step to making your business more likable by employees may have to do with the human factor and how your employees are treated.
Employees hate their job for a number of reasons: Office politics, being lied to, and lack of respect top the list. So what can business owners do to change the environment that their employees are in every day?
Fourteen members of Forbes Coaches Council provide the one thing that needs to be present in every workplace to make it more human.
All images courtesy of Forbes Councils members.
1. Honesty
People want to be in organizations where they feel valued, respected, and dedicated to. In order to create that, a workplace needs to have honesty and integrity. By being clear on the values, vision, mission, and strategy, people can align to what is truly important to the organization, as well as understand how they fit into it. Once employees have a clear sense of purpose, they feel aligned to it. – Monica Thakrar, MTI
2. Respect
Without respect, you will have turmoil in the workplace. Conflicts evolve. Silos evolve. Mistrust evolves. Ineffective communication materializes. Dysfunctional teamwork materializes. Nothing good comes from lack of respect. Respect must be earned and must be given to be received. – Randy Goruk, The Randall Wade Group, LLC
3. Humaneness
Humaneness is a synonym for benevolence, compassion, kindness, empathy, love and all that is goodness. It is time to move away from work being just a tool to afford life or any vestige of “Thank God it’s Friday” and “Oh my god it’s Monday.” Work should be the backbone of celebrating life and an opportunity to be proud of the positive difference you are making. Humaneness must be present to make such move. – Valerio Pascotto, IGEOS
4. Trust
Trust is the cornerstone of relationships. If trust is absent, workflows are less efficient because everyone is trying to avoid getting blamed for something going wrong. There are meetings before the meetings. When elements of trust like sincerity, standards, competency, reliability and involvement are breached easy, transactions become cumbersome obstacles between two people or teams. – Lynda Foster, Cortex Leadership Consulting
5. Love
This word makes people uncomfortable. It’s time for that to change. Teams that care for each other the way they care for their families and friends have higher trust and ultimately are higher performing. It’s time to get over our fear of emotional intelligence and acknowledge that human beings thrive in loving environments. Use the word, break the taboo. – David Butlein, Ph.D., BLUECASE Strategic Partners
6. Connection
We’re fortunate to have so many methods of communication available to us, but it’s important to remember these modes of communication don’t replace or make up for authentically connecting with others. Take time to treat people like people, have conversations, meet face to face (if possible), find ways to connect without using a keyboard. It makes a noticeable, and often measurable, difference. – Gina Gomez, Gina Gomez, Business & Life Coach
7. Support
How well do you know what your coworker’s personal goals are? Do you do anything to support them? Perhaps they love baking cookies and have a side business. Is this something to keep secret or celebrate? People are multidimensional and have many life goals, why not help each other reach goals other than the ones at work? We all want to work in a caring and supporting environment. – Larry Boyer, Success Rockets LLC
8. Flexibility
Having remote access offers employees flexibility when life happens and gives them the opportunity to show that they are able to manage their responsibilities without in-person supervision. During unexpected events, employees are able to have flexible hours and no commute. Working remotely isn’t for everyone, and systems can be set in place to ensure results and real-time communication. – Niya Allen-Vatel, Resume Newbie
9. Mindfulness
A workplace that is mindful of others is the foundation for optimal conditions for its employees. Mindfulness is all encompassing as it addresses trust and respect, the root of all healthy relationships. It also minimizes gossip, as gossip undermines trust and respect. Having a mindfulness-based environment facilitates innovation, flexibility, and adaptability, resulting in fewer conflicts. – Melinda Fouts, Ph.D., Success Starts With You
10. Community
Create a casual community space where people can eat, speak, laugh, cry, or just hang out for a few minutes. Couches or sofas are friendly, inviting, fun and allow people to lie down if needed, sit next to friends, and just be themselves. Why have a divide between formality at work and relaxing with your feet up only at home? A couch in your workspace is a symbol of a more creative, open culture. – Joanne Markow, GreenMason
11. Pictures
To have a family or personalized picture means so much. What picture reminds you of your “why?” Why do you work? I work to support my family and my passions. In turn, I want a reminder as to why I am going through a high or low — a higher purpose. What is your purpose? Find a reminder. Find a picture of the “why” that motivates you. – John M. O’Connor, Career Pro Inc.
12. Vision
If your team knows why they are doing what they’re doing, they will feel more fulfilled, happier, healthier and loyal. What is the reason, the service, the purpose, the promise of your company, and how do they contribute to its value and success? Answer that question (and allow them to answer it for themselves) and you will create a culture of respect, loyalty and trust in your employees. – Debra Russell, Debra Russell Coaching, LLC
13. Engagement
Technology makes it convenient for folks to become insular and work in silos. Engagement keeps the workforce connected and reminds everyone that the people are truly the flesh-and-blood capital that keeps the mission afloat. Without engagement, the workplace becomes little more than a physical structure that houses human capital but does not inspire it to contribute to the greater good. – Karima Mariama-Arthur, Esq., WordSmithRapport
14. Curiosity
As Saint Augustine observed, “People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains […] and yet they pass by themselves without wondering.” Curiosity in yourself and in others is the key to humanity at work. Don’t assume you know the whole story. Ask questions and listen to the answers. Take a stance of humble inquiry, as Edgar Schein would say, and you’ll be surprised at what you might learn. – Ross Blankenship, Ph.D., Spencer Stuart
