Is Your Team Productive? Here’s How to Boost Office Productivity

Just like any group situation, the key to productivity and happiness at the office is strength. An office team’s success depends a lot on each individual’s strengths as well as the group dynamic when together. While everyone may have their own desk spaces, the important thing here is that everyone works together cohesively, doing things as one unit.

How do you create such an environment, especially when most of the time all these people are complete strangers? Here are a few tips in boosting office productivity you may want to take into account:

Sure, in today’s highly technologically advanced world, people are almost always satisfied with online communication. Why not create a talking office? We are not saying people should force conversation, especially when it isn’t desired, as that would be counterintuitive and counterproductive. However, try to advocate friendly chatter during arrivals in the morning, around lunchtime, and during breaks. This is good opportunity for workers to talk about even the simplest and most general of topics. Again, it’s not forcing discussions – it’s more about pushing for communication. The friendlier people are to each other at work, most likely the happier they will feel as their days go on.

One of the most used-up clichés is saying “there is no ‘I’ in ‘team’” which is, in fact, true. A huge part of being part of a team is when someone feels important and invested in the entire group’s success. There is also that feeling of satisfaction when being collectively responsible for both the ups and downs of the group. Think about it. While on one hand, nobody really wants to punish an entire team for the wrong actions of one person, but inversely it is good for everyone to encourage each other in such situations. As with the previous point of communication, a tight-knit group may let each other stay on track and do whatever the best they can – think of it as having balance. Rewarding and crediting the group, and giving proper recognition to those who went above and beyond their call of duty would encourage team cooperation as well as individual stellar performances.

Nobody wants to feel unimportant or small. Make sure everyone understands why their role, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is important to the group. It’s really important that everyone is clear about what they should be doing, what the leaders are expecting of them, and what tasks they should and shouldn’t be handling. Giving people a boost in confidence and reminding them of their role in a number of people may positively impact their working environment, and eventually their productivity.

When choosing employees or having a staffing firm like us hire someone on your behalf, it’s best to keep in mind that you want to keep them satisfied at work, whether they are staying for the long run or only on a more temporary basis. Creating a strong, cohesive, successful office team is not an easy task, but it is well worth it. A team of happy employees would most likely be high-achievers, and goal-and-results-oriented at that. It’s worth spending the time and effort to make sure everybody feels happy, secure at work, and significant at what they do.