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When employees feel supported, they are more motivated to give their best. A sense of belonging promotes a positive work culture, improving employee engagement and reducing turnover rates. Furthermore, a supportive environment encourages better mental health and work-life balance, ultimately enhancing overall well-being.
So, by prioritising employee well-being and satisfaction, supportive environments encourage higher levels of engagement and retention.
Here’s how you can nurture such an environment for your company:
The elements of a supportive work environment
A supportive work environment needs:
- Clear and open communication so that every employee feels that they have expressed their ideas and concerns as well as receive feedback
- Trust and respect so that everyone can feel their opinion will be heard in a safe space
- Collaboration so that team members can take ownership of their work
- Recognition so that everyone feels they are appreciated and making an impact
- Opportunities for growth so that individuals can feel that they are making progress in their careers and are fulfilled
How to establish a supportive work environment
As a manager, you are crucial in creating and nurturing a supportive work environment. You are responsible for setting the tone for the firm and serving as a role model for any behaviour and values you establish.
Remember: Great leaders don’t enforce rules; they set examples.
1. Prioritise active listening, empathy, and inclusivity
When you come to establish project goals, ensure you set aside time throughout the project for check-ins and regular feedback to support your teams. Encourage regular team meetings and brainstorming sessions. If you feel that your work environment needs a lot of change or might be counterproductive, create a platform for them to share concerns anonymously.
The end of every project should also have a non-judgmental space for discussing what went well and what could have gone better in the project.
2. Act on your decisions
Employees will find nothing more frustrating than managers not acting on feedback and advice! After Step 1, make sure you implement the feedback you receive, whether it’s improvements to communication, adapting a workflow software or cleaning up a work archive. Doing so creates a culture of trust and transparency where employees feel heard and respected.
3. Know when to step back
While it’s necessary to communicate with your employees, avoid getting into the finer details unless they specifically ask you to do so. Micro-managing everything an employee does will only make them feel useless and dependent, so give your employees a chance to grow and, if they continue making the same mistakes, make a note to tell them at the right moment.
4. Recognise employee contributions
Depending on the size of your firm, it may not always be practical for the CEO to meet each of their employees on a regular basis. Instead, ensure every employee’s line manager meets with them one-to-one to check their progress and learn if they need more support. This simple step will pay you back in dividends: “The consulting firm O.C. Tanner has likewise found that weekly one-to-ones with managers during uncertain times lead to a 54% increase in engagement, a 31% increase in productivity, a 15% decrease in burnout, and a 16% decrease in depression among employees.”
Some companies like to formalise successes via employee recognition programs. Whatever your approach, ensure every project celebrates milestones and provides personalised incentives to foster a culture of appreciation and motivate your team.
5. Keep inclusivity at the forefront of your mind when creating a supportive work environment
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are essential to a supportive work environment. An inclusive workforce ensures all employees have equal opportunities. You can promote DEI values through training programs, mentorship initiatives, and setting out unbiased recruitment processes.
6. Take stock of your physical space
The physical workspace plays a significant role in employee well-being and productivity. Is an open-plan office helping or hindering communication? Are there designated spaces for focused work? Do employees have access to ergonomic furniture and natural lighting? Flexible work arrangements and remote work options can also contribute to employee satisfaction.
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We encourage executives to follow a respectful recruitment process when hiring and give them tips and advice for creating a thoughtful onboarding experience for recruits. If you want to see how we can make a positive change for you, let us know over email or give us a call. We’re always delighted to hear from company managers who want to make a positive change for their workforce.