It might sound like a cliché, but a positive attitude can make a world of difference, whether on a job site or in the office. Countless studies have shown that this mindset is intrinsically connected to increased productivity and decreased turnover. In the construction industry, where finding consistently reliable talent can be an issue, this is critical.
To a large extent, the attitude of your team will be determined by the workplace environment that you create. So how do you do it? In this article, we will go over a few of the key ways to cultivate a culture of positivity.
Frequent communication
For starters, you need to make it possible for people to air their grievances; it is important that your team feels heard. For example, if there is an issue, an interpersonal conflict, or concern about another worker – employees should feel encouraged to let management know. Just the act of communication may be enough to solve the situation, improving morale. However, it is also important that management take action when needed.
Hiring practices
It is often said that your team is only as strong as your weakest player, which is certainly true for temperament. If you want to develop a positive workplace, you need to hire people who embody these characteristics. A bad hire can be like cancer within your organization, spreading negativity throughout the team. Luckily, the opposite can also be true. Team members can learn certain skills on the job, but a positive attitude is something that people often either have or do not have, so this is something that you should prioritize in your hiring process.
Of course, hiring anyone new is always a risk. When possible, look for opportunities to promote from within. This way, you can put those who motivate the group and spread positivity in leadership positions. This is also a way for you to demonstrate to the team that you are invested in their career growth.
The little things
At the end of the day, your workplace culture is created by the little day-to-day things that often go unnoticed. So please do not think that you can hold one day of team-building exercises and then go back to business as usual. This means being available to your team, showing that you care about their health and workplace safety.
And of course, you cannot expect your team to have a positive attitude without management having one as well. So if you want to manifest a positive attitude within your team, you need to practice what you preach.
Photo by MARK ADRIANE on Unsplash
