28 Nov 4 Ways to Shift Your Workplace Culture

Employees who are constantly stressed at work are a risk to the company as a whole. Stress costs American employers $300 billion dollars in healthcare costs per year. BILLION. Employees are constantly resigning due to lack of valuable workplace benefits and toxic workplace culture that negatively affects their mental health.

So what can you do about it? Here are 4 ways to shift the culture so you can feel more at peace while working.

1. Ask questions. Being inquisitive about what is happening at work and why is so important. Ask questions about changes in policies, workplace behavior, perks, meetings, team interactions. Ask often. Ask for the things you want to see as well! Closed mouths don’t get fed! Whether you are an employee or employer, asking questions will go a long way to both give and receive feedback. Ask how your team is feeling. Ask how you can be a better team member or manager. Ask how you can help. Be genuine in your questions and your responses.
2. Over communicate. When you think you’ve said it enough, say it one more time. The art of communication is essential to a well- functioning workplace. It feels good to let people know how you feel. Say what you mean and mean what you say. When people feel unheard, that leads to mental stress and can diminish their work.
3. Be the change. If you’re not seeing what you want from your team or coworkers, take the leap and initiate it yourself! Shake things up, make suggestions, start taking meditation breaks, and encourage your team to join you. Someone has to be the first at everything. Why not you?
4. Encourage yourself and others. This sounds cheesy, but encouragement goes a long way. If someone feels encouraged or supported to do something, they are more likely to do it. Employers with a team can lead in a way that makes their employees want to follow their lead. Team members can encourage each other to take rest, speak up, stay motivated, finish the task. There is power in numbers, and positive reinforcement is a game changer with teams.

The Challenge: Next time you’re in a work meeting, as about new wellness initiatives.