The changing seasons can often have an effect on workplace productivity, however by noticing what makes people happy as well as successful in their careers, leaders can help both themselves and their employees towards greater productivity within the workplace.

Here are four simple tips to create positive environments that promote wellbeing, energy and happiness.

Give people the opportunity to take a break from tasks as this will keep their energy high. Breaks lead to fresher minds, greater problem-solving and improved creative thinking. Encourage employees to take breaks whenever they see fit (within reason). Set up a dedicated break room, and fill it with things that will take your employees minds off their work for a few minutes - complimentary coffee, fruit or even a game.

Celebrate achievements

Recognise achievements and embrace them! Whenever a team or individual hits a major goal, or when the business reaches a milestone, treat them. You don’t have to spend vast amounts of money or for it even to take up a lot of time, but hosting a mini gathering makes a big impact. It helps people to reflect on their hard work, spend time together and feel good about the progress the business has made.

Upskill

Ensuring employees develop new skills and hone expertise is both rewarding and profitable, and proves an excellent way to boost engagement.

Get people to take ownership and invest in their own skills, with training and creative sessions that provide a break from the admin that often dominates workloads. This can be in the form of a bespoke training programme, spending the day out of the office learning a different skill or a team building exercise. 

Share with your team

Creating a collaborative process with your team has wide-ranging effects, and all are positive. When leaders share ideas and updates with their employees, open communication becomes second nature, and everyone feels equally invested in the company’s overall goals and values.

When all ideas are heard and considered, each member of the team feels valued, and ultimately more satisfied with the workplace. Include your employees in decisions and discussions whenever possible, and try to be transparent about the reasoning behind your decisions.

When leaders are transparent about the current health and future goals of the company, employees often have an improved understanding of their role within the bigger picture. This can lead to innovative solutions and problem-solving. Leaders should also promote a culture of continuous improvement where it's common practice for everyone to give and receive feedback.

Although 2015 is firmly behind us, we nonetheless can make important comparisons from last year. From an independent study conducted among 2,006 British employees in 2015, it was found that the two areas that became a focus for many businesses’ to improve were engagement and productivity.

According to the Office for National Statistics, workforces are 31% less productive than those of the US with engagement and productivity affected by various obstacles, one of these being employee motivation.

The independent study also found that half of the UK workforce did not feel positively about their job last year and staff are only going to become engaged and have a better output if their employer makes them feel driven and inspired.

What motivated staff in 2015?

• 45% a good work/life balance
• 25% a motivating boss who’s very good at their job
• 19% great peers who always motivate you
• 17% boss saying thank you
• 16% the office environment