If, like us, you’re passionate about promoting positivity at work, you may have found yourself slightly frustrated at times. How am I supposed to make a change, when I’m just one little person in a big organisation? Where do I start?!
The search for happiness may be more deeply embedded in your organisation that you think. It’s a given that (most) people want to be happy; we want to lead fulfilling, meaningful lives, that give us a heightened sense of belonging. Heck, happiness has it’s even got it’s own newspaper. And with job titles like Chief Happiness Officer taking to company structures all over the world, it seems that happiness is a serious business.
“We share a universal desire for wellbeing,” says Dr Mark Williamson, Founder of Action for Happiness. “This is more than just a survival instinct; we want to be happy and have the best possible lives for ourselves and those we love.”
Many of us find ourselves keen to go one step further – to actively promote positivity at work – but without a definitive starting point and the time to devise imaginative solutions, it can seem overwhelming.
However, promoting positivity at work doesn’t always need a whopping budget and the buy in of the management team. You can take it upon yourself to promote positivity, without the need to fumble your way through any red tape, or sign your life away. We’ve listed some simple ideas that you can take into your organisation today, to enhance positivity in your team:
1. Share positive feedback…
This is one of the easiest ways to boost the mood and positivity of a colleague. If you speak to a client and receive glowing feedback about a colleague, pass the good news on. It lets your colleagues know they’re well thought of and doing a great job – but it’ll also let your colleagues know that you’re keen to promote positivity, and might encourage them to do the same.
2…but make sure you ask for it too
It’s all well and good sharing positive feedback with your colleagues – but don’t you want to know what you’re doing well? Spend a few minutes every week asking your colleagues for feedback. It’ll show your employers that you’re always looking to improve upon your work, and it could provide you with some really interesting insights. It’ll also be a great boost to your confidence if you receive a glowing report!
3. Tell a positive story
How many times have you overheard a negative story at work? Though we can all empathise, it doesn’t do anything for our positivity or happiness. When you begin to tell a negative story or start to moan, rethink your conversation. What’s gone really well lately? What do we do really well as a team? What do my colleagues actually want to hear? Focus on your strengths, instead of being bogged down in the negative.
4. Don’t be scared to share
If you see something funny that you think your colleagues will enjoy, share it with them. So many employees are terrified of seeming unprofessional, that they leave their personality at the door when they arrive at work. Remember that your colleagues are people too, and will appreciate something funny as much as you do – so don’t be scared to send an email to a colleague if you think it’ll make them smile!
5. Say thank you – and mean it
If a colleague does something to help you out, say thank you. This may seem obvious, but it’s not something we always do – and can often lead to people feeling undervalued. Even the smallest thing – as small as someone emailing you a contact number – is worth a thank you. Anything that involves someone taking time away from their daily tasks to directly help you out is worth thanking – and you’ll feel better for saying those two words.
Try these simple ideas in your organisation today, and see what a difference it makes to your day. If you’ve got any ideas you’d like to share for promoting positivity at work, share them in the comments below – we’d love to hear them!
