In past articles, we’ve explained how organizational culture has to do with shared vision and values, while organizational climate is about how it actually feels to work somewhere. While culture is important, it is a healthy organizational climate that will positively change employee motivation and behaviour (i.e. create engagement).
Encouraging healthy workplace practices can enhance organizational climate. Recent research from the Energy Project highlights that we are most productive when there is balance between the different dimensions of the healthy workplace. The World Health Organization defines these as:
- Health and safety concerns in the physical work environment;
- Well-being of the work environment including organization of work and workplace culture;
- Having support and encouragement of healthy lifestyles by the employer; and
- Providing opportunity to participate in the community.
The more employees can fill each of these “buckets”, the more engaged they will feel, and the more satisfied they are likely to be. Everyone needs to make the time to replenish his/her own buckets through simple activities such as:
- Taking a short break every 90 minutes or so throughout the day to recharge physically;
- Showing appreciation for someone else’s efforts;
- Fully disconnecting from emails and other work distractions more often;
- Spending more time at work doing the things you are best at and enjoy the most.
Leaders should personally role model these behaviours as part of their efforts to build a well-rounded and healthy organizational climate. We’ve said it before: a positive organizational climate is a powerful thing in good times; in tough times, it is an imperative.
This article was published more than 1 year ago. Some information may no longer be current.