10 Small Ways to Improve Office Atmosphere
By: Jan BolickThis Quick List is for you if:
- you think mood, morale or atmosphere is a bit low in your office.
- you wish it were better.
- you wish your manager would do something about it.
- and/or
- you are the manager and would like to do something about it but don’t have time or board approval or money in the budget or whatever. And even if you did, you don’t have a clue about how to do it.
Remember our Quote of the Week about being too small to make a difference? Below are things YOU can do to make a positive difference in your office environment. No management or board approval needed. No budget required. Some will take a bit of time but will save time overall.
Read through the list and pat yourself on the back for the things you already do.
*****
1. When you pass someone in the hall and say hello, look them in the eye and smile.
2. If you ask, “how are you?”, listen to the response (spoken and unspoken).
3. When you talk on the phone, smile. it can be heard. Use this wallpaper for your computer as a reminder.
4. When someone comes into your office or to your desk to ask for help, put your pen down, turn away from your computer screen or whatever you are doing and give undivided attention. If you can’t do that long enough to help the person with the problem, suggest a time when you can give undivided attention or suggest another source who can.
5. When you are meeting with someone, clear the space in front of you. That includes your cell phone and computer screen. Turn off buzzers, bells, whistles, etc.
6. Be a few minutes early to meetings so you can greet each person as they come in and be part of the pre-meeting chatter.
7. Send a note of thanks or congratulations to someone each week. One way to do this is with one of our Heart Cards.
8. Invite someone you don’t know very well to get together for a chat. Or if funds allow, do it over coffee or lemonade or lunch.
9. Eat an apple every afternoon. It’s great energy and mood food. Better yet – bring in a bowl of apples so you can share.
10. Pass this list along to others. Not as a “hint” but as an “item of interest”(for those who have mentioned an interest in improved office atmosphere) or as an invitation (asking others to join you in your efforts to make a difference).
*****
Pat yourself on the back again for any of these that are already part of your “way” in the office.
Any that you don’t already do?
Consider adopting one or two of these as part of your routine for the next 3 weeks.
To remind yourself, print this page or this PDF, highlight the items you are adopting and tuck it somewhere prominent for you (but not others).
After 3 weeks, I think you’ll see a difference. If you don’t see it, you’ll at least feel it.
Pat yourself on the back again.
And if all 10 aren’t now checked off as part of your “way” in the office, consider adopting a couple more.
And thanks – for your interest in and efforts to make a positive difference.
copyright 2010 – Business Class Inc.
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