When it comes to a fun company culture, happiness is key. Today’s employees are looking for a positive work environment, and according to a session given yesterday, “Appropriate Irreverence: How to Build a Fun Company in a Not So Fun World,” money isn’t the answer.
Richard George, President and Founder of NOI Coach, a business consulting firm, said managers need to organize, synergize, empower, inspire and reward their employees. “A pay raise is not what motivates people, people motivate people,” George said.
Attendees were asked if they have ever been a part of a great company culture. Nearly all raised their hands. George then asked if those same people would stay with that company if their salary was cut. All said yes.
George said managers who want to create a fun company culture, or personality, must challenge their opinion regarding what is appropriate and inappropriate in the work place and reach a healthy work-life balance.
“Let your employees find their bliss,” George said. “If they find it outside of work, they’ll find it inside, too.”
Managers also must establish consistent boundaries for all employees, said George, who asked attendees to imagine teaching a child to play soccer on a field without boundary markers. “Your employees want to know when they’ve won the game,” George said. ‘They’re keeping score and they expect you to be the referee and discipline co-workers who aren’t pulling their weight.”
Other keys to a happy workplace include appreciating, impressing and trusting employees, giving them a voice and resisting the urge to micro-manage, according to George.
Elaine De Lude, Vice President of Marketing for Maryland-based Realty Management Services, said, “I’m going to re-evaluate our corporate culture by polling different groups and getting several opinions. What we think is working for us may not be for others.”
“What really stuck with me was when George said success and failure aren’t permanent,” said Kevin Flynn, Maintenance Supervisor for Seattle-based Horizon Realty Advisors. “Sometimes you have to let your people fail," he said.
“It was a great session and reminded me that I need to think of everything from an employee’s point of view,” said Clio A. Hanks, Senior Vice President for The Associated Management Company in Michigan.
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