Finding content and being happy at the office is possible and it doesn’t mean you have to give up on your entrepreneurial dreams or other aspirations. Regardless of anyone’s circumstances, there are plenty of reasons to be upbeat and happy. Create a supportive environment and see how a happy office has a competitive edge.
Develop Your Goals & Mission for Being Happy at the Office
Skilled leaders know how to set a tone that others want to follow by investing on their talents and getting engaged in the tasks at hand. Setting clear corporate goals, reminding people of the mission, and rewarding them leads to employee buy-in.
Make it clear where the company is now and chart the path forward with realistic goals.
Support everyone in their tasks by using furnishings that inspire them to do their best.
Photo: HON Astir Chairs
Develop an Atmosphere of Inspiration
An atmosphere, or ambiance, is an intangible element but it’s quite real. Walk into a setting that’s either friendly or filled with tension, and you can immediately sense that something is happening—either good or bad.  You can feel right away if particular environment prioritizes their employees being happy at the office.  There are creative number of ways to do this.
Lay a good foundation by planning and designing your office with colors, fabrics, and furnishings that support your brand and mission.
The 2010 Office Inspirations web page lays out ideas to choose from.
What style of office design fits the personality of your company?
Photo: 9to5 Seating Lilly Chairs
See how the Modern Industrial Office looks so different from the Upbeat Contemporary Office.
Photo: Stylex Verve Chairs
Either one can set the mood and vibe you want and any design can provide an ambiance that assists your team in being happy at the office and doing their best. This is one part in developing a strong brand internally.
Setting expectations is another part.
Develop Attitudes of Expectation
Expect people to perform and deliver. Lay out and communicate goals, and encourage feedback, and adjust as necessary. Trust them.
This is important, especially in times of hybrid work environments where some employees are in the office for part of their time and then for the remainder of their schedule they’re working out of the home or another remote location.
Expect the best from them.
And in doing so, equip them to carry out their goals. This means planning the workflow and being concerned about their well-being through ergonomics.
Photo: OFS Aptos Open Plan Workstation
Quality seating, workstations, and proper desks contribute to setting the right expectations. Lighting and other accessories enhance the employee experience, and lead to them being happy at the office.
Develop Wellness to Promote Being Happy at the Office
Our professional and personal lives often overlap and that’s fine when everything’s going well.
But what happens when a crisis strikes like when an employee goes through personal loss or injury, or the company is hit with a shakeup due to external factors?
An atmosphere of wellness can mean discounted memberships to local gyms or even health plans with counseling options available. Personal issues often need to be handled outside of the work setting.
What happens if you need to talk in-house, though?
Photo: Trendway Clear Wall
Define a space either with architectural walls or conversation pods for greater privacy. Plan an informal setting using the Encore Clipse Lounge Seating arrangement.
Photo: Encore Clipse Lounge Seating
Group chats and debriefings don’t have to happen in a formal conference room. Modular furniture solutions can give a relaxed feel.
Develop a System of Small Rewards
Cash bonuses are great incentives, of course, and help for being happy at the office. But so are other perks like letting plenty of natural light flow through the office and providing free coffee and other drinks in the break room.
Have plenty of bottled water and healthy snacks on hand. Fatty, high sugar treats like doughnuts can bog down the digestive system. Eating well is one of the key ways of staying healthy and being happy at the office, as noted by job placement agency Monster.com in 10 Tips for Staying Happy at Work.
Small rewards can help the office become a desired destination instead of a place where you have to go or else you’ll get in trouble.
Develop Ideas With Expertise for Being Happy at the Office
Need to refresh your existing office space or plan an entirely new office environment? The team at 2010 Office Furniture has more than 50 years of knowledge and expertise in helping corporate clients, leading nonprofits, and small businesses in Southern California.
Stay up to date on current office trends.
Get the input needed for effective workflow and contact 2010 Office Furniture with your potential project needs.
Read Also: Designing a Healthy Office
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Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: 9to5 Seating, Encore Seating, ERG International, HON, OFS, Stylex Seating & Trendway