Several years ago, The New Economics Foundation demonstrated that building the following five actions into our daily lives is important for personal well-being. If we incorporate these principles with groups in the workplace we can also help organizations thrive in unsteady times. Here are five ways to organizational well-being.
With people you support. With employees, funders, like-minded organizations and community partners. In the boardroom, in meetings, in the lunchroom, at the grocery store and your local movie theater. Building connections wherever opportunity exists will bring riches you could not have anticipated.
Start a lunchtime walking group. Play ping pong. Do yoga. Get a ten-minute massage. Enter a team in the local softball league. Karaoke in the break room. Exercise and laughter make you feel good. Discover the joy of playing together while working together.
Listen. Seek to understand. Notice the gifts and contributions of others. Give praise and appreciation. Reflect on what is important to people on your team and people you support. Know thyself. Be aware of the external environment and how it impacts your organization.
Reflect on what you have tried. What you have learned. What you are pleased about. Concerned about. What you will do next based on what you have learned. Read. Read some more. Learn how to lead. Take on a different responsibility. Tackle a new computer application. Stretch yourself. Find a coach. Learning new things is fun and will make you more confident. It can give you a competitive edge.
Thank volunteers. Smile on the phone. Celebrate your customers. Support your staff. Join a networking group. Collaborate with other organizations around a common goal. Share resources. Donate your time and expertise to support a community event. Let staff participate in community service as a company benefit. Create a board giving policy.