3 Essential Steps to Creating a Thriving Workplace

I recently saw a quote from Gallup saying, "A thriving workplace starts with thriving employees - and when employees are struggling or suffering, the same goes for your organization."

Here are three ways you can improve morale, employee engagement, and build a culture of thriving employees.?

Wipe The Slate Clean With A Fresh Start

With the new year people are more willing to start fresh and recommit to a better future. This is an opportunity to co-create what thriving looks and feels like in your organizations. I think it would be really neat if leaders looked at work as a place where everyone left a better version of themselves - instead of the traditional story where employees are burned out, silently suffering in pressure and overwhelm - who can't wait to get home and veg out on the couch.?

Ask your employees what it looks like for them to feel engaged in meaningful projects, to feel lifted and encouraged by team members, and how they want to prioritize their mental well-being. Conversation around these topics will have a surprising effect on morale, buy-in, and productivity.?

Walk Your Talk: Be Socially Responsible

Research strongly supports that helping others can significantly improve our health, emotions, relationships, and overall happiness. “When person A helps person B, person A gets better.”

My friend David Durocher started getting into trouble at 6 years old. As he grew up, the trouble, violence, and crimes only got worse. Eventually he was put in prison. He became the prison yard boss during his multiple sentences. He was the leader of the “white guys” and had a reputation as the toughest, meanest, nastiest guy in the place. His reputation was extremely important to him.?

"I was willing to fight. I was willing to cut somebody. I was willing to stab somebody. I was willing to be on the front line of a riot. I was willing to do all of those things for what I thought was the cause in prison.”

Now, David is unrecognizable from his past life. He is now the Executive Director of The Other Side Academy in Salt Lake City, one of the most successful life-changing programs in the world for convicted felons, drug addicts, and homeless individuals.?

He makes a living helping people to be happy, thriving, successful individuals.?

While your organization may not be as directly involved with helping people get better like The Other Side Academy, think about what you want your organization to stand for. People are much more willing to buy into a company that is supporting their community in meaningful ways. Partnering with an organization like David's is a great way to engage in socially responsible initiatives.

Support Employees' Mental Wellbeing

A workplace that prioritizes employee wellness and well-being leads to higher job satisfaction and motivation among employees. If someone hates their work, they are not bringing the best of who they are to the table. It's like putting a tricycle in a Nascar race and thinking it should be going as fast as the real race cars. The performance simply is not there.?

Providing support and resources to employees can help them to succeed and be resilient in the face of adversity. Certainly 2023 is a time where we can all come together to create stronger connection, greater resilience, and meaningful contributions that make this world a better place.?

For more advice on how to build a thriving culture into your organization, check out the One People One Planet book on Amazon.

Michael Glauser is an entrepreneur, business consultant, and university professor. He has built successful companies in the retail, wholesale, and educational industries and has worked with hundreds of businesses—from startups to multinational enterprises—in leadership development, communication, team building, and organizational strategy.

Today, Mike serves as Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University. He’s also the Director of the SEED self-sufficiency program, helping people around the world to improve their standard of living and benefit their communities through entrepreneurship.