Creating a Positive and Productive Work Environment

1. Creating a Positive and Productive Work Environment Professional Staff Fall Training 2014 Keener Scott, Associate Director for Staff Development & Student Conduct

2. Session Learning Objectives • Participants will discuss how to develop a creative and productive work atmosphere • Participants will discuss the role of motivation and appreciation play in developing good employees • Participants will discuss ways to motivate staff to do good work • Participants will discuss how to sustain a productive work environment • Participants will discuss how to appreciate good work

3. What is a Positive and Productive Work Environment? • The supervisor demonstrates interest in the employees • The supervisor has an encouraging attitude. • Staff like working there • There is evidence of organizational pride and loyalty • Staff know where they stand with their supervisors

4. Creating a positive work environment is based on four key skills. • Telling people what you expect of them • Showing interest in your staff members • Creating an encouraging environment • Recognizing and rewarding good performance

5. State Your Expectations • Communicating expectations clearly • Having a specific job description • Identifying specific performance standards • Specifying deadlines • Setting goals

6. Show Interest in Your Team What behaviors convey that someone is interested in you? These behaviors convey a lack of interest: Ignoring you Not knowing your name or not using it Not asking your opinion Ignoring your suggestions Not commenting on your work Following your suggestion, but only when heard from someone else • Making eye contact • Calling you by name • Asking your opinion • Smiling • Complimenting your work • Taking your suggestions

7. Create an Encouraging Environment • Your ideas are valued • Creativity is encouraged • Risks are encouraged • Fun and laughter are valued • New ideas are rewarded • You feel appreciated • People thank you for your contributions • Flexibility is valued • You feel like part of the team

8. Create an Encouraging Environment Creating such an environment results in the following benefits to staff Creating such an environment results in the following benefits to supervisors Less turnover Less sabotage Greater loyalty Easier to find employees due to good reputation Higher productivity • Contribute more ideas • Feel more committed • Look forward to coming to work • Are more productive • Have increased self-esteem

9. Recognize and Reward Good Performance Promotion Time off Special parking space First choice on schedule Dinner with the boss Tickets to an event Extra employee discount Picture on the bulletin board Applause at a meeting • Compliments • Smiles • Thumbs-up gesture • Saying "Thank you" • Public announcement of your achievement • Positive letter in your personnel file

10. Creating an Action Plan • List two things you will to develop a creative and productive work atmosphere • List two ways you will motivate your staff to do good work. • List two things you will do to sustain the productive work environment • List two things you will do to show your appreciation for good work

11. University Housing’s Proposed Recognition Philosophy Our employees are our greatest asset. We strive to establish and nurture a sustainable culture of appreciation for the work that our employees accomplish. We believe it is important to acknowledge the positive contributions staff make to our students’ residential experience  and recognize these efforts on a consistent and continual bases throughout each year.  

12. How to Motivate Staff

13. How to Demotivate Staff

14. Motivational Design • Jason Fox • Individually • Jot down points for discussion • What do you think about his perspective? • Group • As a group what are the five most relevant points that can be used. How? • What are five conceptions that will not work? Why?

16. Questions of Comments