Studies show we spend most of our time during the day at work. Positive work culture is essential whether you’ve been on the job for twenty years or if you’re fresh out of college. If you’ve ever worked in a negative environment, you’ve experienced the stress and anxiety it creates. Your daily tasks feel more like worrisome chores executed with your eyes fixed on the clock. As a result, you can’t wait for Saturdays and Sundays, wishing your life away.

The importance of positivity in the workplace

A positive emotional environment reduces stress and encourages teamwork and transparency. It is easier to impact company culture if you are in a leadership position. Yet, every employee has the power to change the culture of an organization for the better.

This article will explore how you can create a positive work culture by embracing the following principles.

• An attitude of gratitude
• Prioritizing self-care
• Building community
• Promoting communication
• Being value-oriented 

1. Gratitude

It is often best to focus on what you appreciate about a situation. You can do this by cultivating an attitude of gratitude. For example, what do you like about your job? What aspects make you feel good? Thankfulness takes the focus off of what you dislike and allows you to see all the good things.

Gratitude can also help you be intentional about uplifting and supporting other coworkers. Offer a cheerful email or celebrate employee birthdays each month. Congratulate outstanding performance and hard work, even if you aren’t a supervisor. Everyone likes to feel appreciated.

2. Self-care

While bulldozering through your workweek, make sure to consider your emotional well-being. Are you tired? Do you need a day off? We can all appreciate a break from time to time. There is no shame in that!

Burnout can manifest as a lack of concentration, fatigue, irritability, and so on. To prevent burnout, make self-care a part of your daily routine. Take time for yourself in the morning or the evening. Meditation, a relaxing bath, or journaling are a few ways to nurture a healthy mind.

Prioritizing self-care serves corporate culture because it increases productivity and well-being. Encourage yourself and others to take time to recharge. It is a beautiful way to develop soundness of mind and work-life balance.

3. Community

The saying goes, “celebrate people that celebrate you,” and it is true, even at work! Building community in the workplace can create a sense of belonging. Positive relationships lay the groundwork for collaboration, personal and professional satisfaction, and efficiency.

We spend most of our day with our co-workers, so it is necessary to feel seen and heard in those environments. A sense of community does that and more by providing a safe space for individuals to show up authentically.

4. Communication

Good communication is essential to every business. It impacts productivity and group morale. A lack of communication may leave co-workers frustrated or feeling left out. As a result, teamwork and collaboration suffer.

With the rise of remote work, communication may be tougher than ever. Organizations can choose from numerous communication tools like Zoom, Slack, and Microsoft teams. So it is vital to select the best option for your company. Remember that it is not only about the clarity of the message but also the delivery method. Ultimately, effective communication aims to close the door to misinterpretation and get everyone on the same page.

5. Values

Values are personal standards of behavior that motivate us to act in specific ways. They help us achieve our goals and live with purpose. In a professional setting, values can do the same for an organization. A corporate value system helps unite employees under one mission. It also sets expectations for the kind of behavior that is acceptable.

Practicing values like empathy, kindness, honesty, and accountability creates a positive work culture. The most significant impact of values in the workplace occurs when the corporation adopts these values. Yet, on a smaller scale, you can start to implement these values with your team and in the way you treat others.

In the end, positivity always wins

You can create a positive work culture by employing gratitude, self-care, community, communication, and values.

We know that the right attitude changes everything. Incorporating consistent self-care can help eliminate burnout, and building community promotes authenticity. Effective communication boosts morale and collaboration. At the same time, a value system encourages unity.

Ultimately, creating a positive work culture is the responsibility of all those working at the organization, but there are times when you have to be the change that you want to see.