In the last 35 years, both awareness and concern for our natural
environment have become incorporated into our consciousness.
Natural fibers, recycling, biodegradable goods, concern for natural
habitats, the disappearing ozone layer, and second-hand smoke are all
concepts that have filtered into our personal and business behaviors. The result of this awareness is a pretty good understanding of the
interdependence we have with our natural environments and reasons to
respect them. I wonder – do we have a similar appreciation for the
contribution of our working environments to our business success? Do
we understand the relationship between the environment in which we
work and our ability to be creative and productive while working? Do
we understand the many ways in which we can create an environment
that fosters important business qualities – loyalty, enthusiasm, desire to
contribute, creativity and productivity - both for ourselves and, if we have
them, our employees? I’m sure we all remember the popular debate about nature vs. nurture –
the impact of genetic heritage vs. the environment in shaping who we
are, our values, behaviors and attitudes. Regardless of which feature
wins in the end, environment has a huge impact on personal attributes. We rarely think about this, I’m sure, yet we all inhabit a variety of
“environments” affecting our business life. Some are obvious – we
know that if we’re cold, in the dark and hungry, work is not likely to be at
the top of our priorities until those ‘environments’ are corrected. Some
are not so obvious yet have considerable impact, just the same. And, if
not consciously designed and nurtured, our working environments can
have a major impact on business success, affecting a business’ ability to
attract and keep desirable employees, attendance, creativity,
productivity, general work habits, team effectiveness, use of time,
valuable communications; essentially all those qualities a business
depends on to get the job done. We can think about this another way. When developing products, don’t
we bend over backwards to give them all the support we can to ensure
they’ll succeed and thrive? We find funds to develop and promote them,
we find champions who’ll support their development, we find partners,
test markets, affiliates and more. Just as you would provide a new
product or service, every working person deserves all the support
available to ensure success – for themselves and for the contribution
they make to your business. Part of this support comes from the
environments in which we all work. Consider these and how they affect your business: 1. Relationships – Our colleagues, managers, employees, and
associates. The people with whom we have regular contact create an
environment of attitude, either supporting or defeating our efforts to
complete tasks. Are you likely to try something new, submit a proposal,
follow through on a pet project, volunteer your ideas if those around you
are negative, denigrating, rude and unappreciative? Do you think
similar attitudes affect the degree of interest your employees have in
doing excellent work? In wanting to do more than the minimum
required? You bet they do. On the other hand, an environment of support, regular feedback,
appreciation, ongoing communication, and encouragement for
contribution can be created with little cost and huge payback for your
business. 2. Networks – Our customers, partners, web relations, the ‘6-degree’
circle of associates we all possess. What we know, who we know and
how well we share our knowledge, contacts and tips create an
environment of value. Possessing a mentality of abundance (a
willingness to share, knowing that by giving you get in return, believing
that others’ success can be your success) creates a reputation for you of
great value. A mentality of scarcity (believing that there’s not enough to
go around, that shortage creates value, that fear is a great motivator) is
far less likely to reap you the true rewards of networking: being let into
the enormous webs of valuable connections represented by all those
business cards exchanged at monthly business meetings, luncheons
and seminars. 3. Physical – The things with which we surround ourselves. Yes, as I
pointed out above we don’t work well in the cold or dark and who can
concentrate over a grumbling tummy? Many of us use art, plants or
favorite toys to liven up a work space. Just ask yourself this question:
where are you when you’re doing your best work? If it’s your working
space you’re lucky. Wherever it is, what’s in that space that’s so
supportive of your business activity? Colors you enjoy? Music that
pleases you? Photos that evoke your personal life, hobbies or
passions? Comfortable furniture? Access to others? Solitude? If you know the things you have in your working space support your
business activity, have you offered the same opportunity to your
employees? If you do your best work when out of the office, how can
you bring to your office those touches that embrace your work habits? 4. Your self – Health, personal gifts, values, energy, the attitude with
which we face the world. We know that when we don’t feel well,
physically, we simply are less likely to produce our best work. We’re
easily defeated by a cold, summer or otherwise. The same can happen
if we’re doing work that doesn’t take advantage of our personal skill set.
I love to write and interact with people in business conversation; if I had
a job that didn’t allow me to do either I’d express far less passion for the
work than if I could express myself through those activities I most enjoy.
Or think how difficult it can be to produce quality work if we’re in an
environment that contradicts our values. If you (or your employees)
have to check your sense of integrity at the door each morning, you’re
coming to work with an important component missing. Take a look at your employees; is it possible they’re simply not engaged
in the best tasks they could be doing for you? Do you know what their
true strengths are and are those gifts engaged in service to your
business? Do you know specifically why they your employees work for
you and whether you can enhance that reward for them with the right
environment? Bottom line: Does your place of business provide an environment in
which employees are supported to do their best work for you? Are they
encouraged to learn, read, maintain professional affiliations that will
increase their effectiveness for your business? Creating an environment that supports your business may be trickier
than just providing the necessary physical tools and working space but it
doesn’t have to be costly. It calls for taking a look at the messages your
employees get from all the environments in which they operate on your
behalf and ensuring those messages say ‘your work is valued and vital
to the health of this business; how can we support you toward that
goal?’ When is the ideal time to create environments that will support all the
work you do to create a business that thrives? NOW. Because
businesses that thrive create their own kind of ‘green’ – and you can
take that to the bank. Andrea Feinberg, M.B.A., G.C.U., Certified S.B.L. Coach, is president of
Coaching Insight. Clients identify & maximize the potential in their underused assets such
as processes, reputation, goals, skills, relationships, priorities and
values. The results include enhanced marketing outcomes, productive
and engaged employees, effective time management, goal setting and,
occasionally, time off. Andrea is a Founding Member of International Association of Coaches
and
Coachville, the world’s largest association of professional coaches and
the small business expert, LongIsland.com. She edited and co-
authored the 2004 award-winning “The Essential Coaching Book:
Secrets to a Successful Life” and has been profiled in The New York
Times, Newsday, Long Island Business News, The Westbury Times.
She has been published in Business to Business, Huntington Chamber
Networks, Creations Magazine, Celebrating You e-newsletter, The
Hauppauge Reporter and is a frequent speaker in the small business
community. Find her at 516.642.7434 or http://www.coachinginsight.com
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