How Important Is The Environment Of Your Office?

The environment of the place that you work can be responsible for your work achievements - or your downfalls.

A positive, collaborative, creative work environment is what retains employees in the long run, and motivates them to work harder.

So, what are the factors that make up the best possible working environment?

The way that we socialise and communicate at work can be a huge benefit to our lives; or it can be the biggest drawback of our day-to-day routine. Chances are, if employees communicate well with each other, and managers communicate well with employees, the workplace will undoubtedly be much more productive. A work environment with good communication is one where everybody knows each other’s names, employees from all tiers are approachable and friendly, and there is a welcoming familiarity and openness that allows relationships to form beyond the realm of the business’s targets. It’s also essential to understand the perfect balance of having a laugh with your colleagues, and getting the job done to a good quality.

If we work in a cluttered, claustrophobic and untidy space, our minds are likely to reflect this and our motivation will suffer on a big scale. Your working surroundings needs to be a representation of the way you prefer to work. If you like to take a somewhat chaotic approach and you tend to be a bit all over the place with your work, but you still get the job done on time; you’ll likely work more effectively in an environment that is busy and bustling. If you prefer to take a step back, steer clear of the limelight and work quietly and efficiently in a calm, neutral space; you’ll probably work best in an open, clean and peaceful setting. There are endless variations of how a work place can look.

Similarly, the energy levels of a business can impact the way employees conduct themselves. Great energy can be created by an, attractive, comfortable physical environment. For example, windows allow natural sunlight into an office, which are essential to contributing to a good mood. Also, a clean work environment without much clutter allows employees to focus on their goals. Lastly, an open work environment that is not closed off by cubicles fosters group communication and helps build relationships between employees.

It’s important to seek support from your peers, and equally, give those around you any help and backing that they need too. This is where a sense of teamwork is evoked in the work place, and employees will no longer just feel that they’re working for themselves. They are now working towards something bigger than themselves, as a united group.

Receiving and giving out acknowledgement to your colleagues is also vital. If someone has done a great job; tell them! They may not win any benefits or physical trophies, but they’ll know that their hard work has paid off, and it’s appreciated. Positive reinforcement can work wonders for the growth and development of a company; especially if it starts from the top down.

The way we work can strongly affect our progression levels, but to first understand which working environment you can thrive in, you need to figure out what type of person you are; and how you fit into the business in the grand scheme of things.