Creating A Safe Work Environment

      Safe Work Environment has a new meaning amid Covid-19, it means to make sure that you have a safe clean workspace that is following health regulations to fight the pandemic. 

You have to have certain codes and rules to make sure that everyone is safe. But that is not what I am talking about here, what I mean is a safe workspace where your team can feel comfortable, motivated, and appreciated. I mean creating an environment in which your team do not feel obligated or threatened, but rather feel belong and familiar. It is essential to create such a workspace, especially with all the pressure and stress everyone is already going through, so your responsibility as a leader is to mitigate such an impact on your team. 

      In order to create that kind of environment, you have to connect to your team and understand what kind of pressure they might feel while working. Do they feel underappreciated or unappreciated altogether? Do they feel disconnected? Do they feel lost and they feel like the work is imposed on them? These kinds of questions, and more, have to be answered. 

As a team leader, you have to be open and approachable. Accept criticism, and understand that you are not always right. Make monthly, or weekly, open discussions so everyone can feel like they are a part of the team, and that they can voice their worries without being threatened. Don’t play favorites, because favorites cause disruption, even if it’s unintentional, and feelings of injustice.

      Perhaps the two of the most important elements you have to keep in mind are appreciation and envision. Keeping your team on your plan, and giving them an idea about what you want to achieve is paramount. This way, work is not just something they must do, but rather it becomes something they understand and work towards achieving as well. It’s their motivation instead of simple labor. Through this, voice your appreciation: Feelings of appreciation can make your team give their best; they are good at what they do, and people love doing what they are good at. If you are constantly undermining them, they would never feel good enough, and this is the path to errors and missteps and eventual indifference.  

      Being a team leader is a responsibility, it is making sure that your created family is safe and motivated. Be open, appreciate your team, and include them in your plan.

Mike Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer Of RewardLion