As a small business owner, you know that your employees are the lifeblood of your company, so it makes sense that without a dedicated and motivated team, your business can’t thrive. Ultimately you need to attract and retain the best team possible.
But how do you do that? (I imagine you’re currently screaming this at the screen.)
Nature!
What?
I’m not suggesting that you suddenly begin a degree in Biology, but by paying attention to the natural phenomena around us, you can create the perfect habitat to attract a fantastic team.
It’s not them. It’s you. – Why Creating a Suitable Workplace Culture is Essential to Attract and Retain The Best Team Possible
Just like plants need a suitable environment to grow, humans also need a favourable environment to thrive. If you get the environment wrong, then you’ll attract the wrong people, even if they’re not necessarily a bad fit. It’s not their fault – it’s just that you didn’t put in the work beforehand to create a suitable workplace culture. That’s on you.
We all want the right people in our team, and by using nature as our guidebook, we can learn valuable lessons to create a thriving work environment. Here are just a few ideas you could implement.
Cultivate a Sense of Belonging – Create a Workplace Culture That Values and Includes Everyone
Just as plants need the best soil, water, and sunlight to grow, humans also need a sense of belonging to feel engaged and motivated at work. Cultivating a sense of belonging means creating a workplace culture where everyone feels valued and included. Nobody ever wants to feel like they’re just a number.
Encourage open communication, celebrate diversity, and promote team-building activities to encourage a shared sense of purpose and camaraderie. Ensure your employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas and encourage active listening to promote the feeling of belonging. They may have the next big idea that will project your company into the stratosphere!
Provide Opportunities for Growth – Invest in Employee Development
As plants need sunlight and water to continue growing, employees need opportunities for growth and development to thrive. Providing opportunities for growth means investing in your employees’ learning and development.
Offer training and development programs to help your employees acquire new skills, expand their knowledge, and grow their careers. Provide regular feedback and recognition to help your employees improve and grow. Recognise their achievements and celebrate their successes to keep them motivated and engaged. Above all, encourage innovation and creativity by creating an environment that welcomes new ideas and out-of-the-box thinking.
Foster Work-Life Balance – Improve Employee Well-being and Boost Productivity
These same plants need rest and nourishment to flourish: employees also need a healthy work-life balance to thrive. Fostering work-life balance means creating a workplace culture that promotes well-being and mental health.
With Covid-19 creating flexible work opportunities, help your employees balance their work and personal responsibilities. Encourage your team to take breaks and downtime to recharge and avoid burnout. Increase their vacation time. It’s not a crazy idea. Many European companies are recording increased productivity with a reduced workweek.
Provide wellness programs that support your employees’ physical and mental health, such as gym memberships, mental health support, or stress reduction programs.
Create a Safe and Supportive Workplace – Establish a Safe and Supportive Workplace Culture
If you have a garden, you’ll know it needs protection from pests and diseases to grow. Your employees are no different and need a safe and supportive workplace to thrive.
To create a safe workplace that prioritises the well-being and safety of employees: it’s essential to establish and implement policies and procedures that ensure their protection. This includes measures such as providing ergonomic workstations, conducting regular safety training, and addressing any workplace hazards immediately.
In addition, providing support to employees facing personal or work-related challenges can help them feel valued and supported. Offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or provide mental health resources to help employees manage stress and mental health concerns. Be swift and fair when dealing with complaints.
What if they’re the wrong person for the job? – Take Responsibility as an Employer
When you regret hiring an employee, it can be easy to place the blame solely on the individual’s performance or fit within the company. However, it’s critical that you consider; that as the employer, you possibly aren’t fulfilling your obligations of creating a suitable work environment and culture. It’s critical you take responsibility for this.
If an employee is struggling or not meeting expectations, it’s worth examining whether you have done everything possible as an employer to provide the necessary support, resources, and growth opportunities. Take ownership of your role as an employer, and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Remember, by taking inspiration from nature, you can create a workplace culture that is both productive and fulfilling. So take a leaf out of nature’s book and start cultivating the right environment for your employees to thrive.
