We all go to work to do a good job, but if your workspace is lacking in inspiration, you may find that your team begins to grow stagnant. Providing a stimulating office environment is every manager’s responsibility, and there are a number of small things that you can do to inspire and motivate your team. Here are five ways to create a productive workspace.

Use bold colours in your decor

There is no better way to motivate people than to provide them with visual stimulation. A great way to do this is by making a conscious decision to use decor that is inspiring. This might include splashes of bold colour throughout the paintwork, but could also involve inspirational quotes or art pieces that are intended to bring joy to the members of your team. 

Provide luxury meeting spaces

It can be difficult to navigate speaking with clients or interviewees when everybody is working in an office, as there are all kinds of distractions in the room, as well as confidential information that you don’t want any external parties to see. Setting up some office meeting pods are a fantastic way to separate the usual workspace from where third parties are hosted, and they’re also great for people who need to take a few minutes to themselves to recharge their batteries.

Create a safe environment for open conversations

There is a good chance that most members of your team have had some excellent ideas for your business, but they have never told anybody. This could be for a number of reasons; feeling like it isn’t their place, or being embarrassed or shy about their idea. I operate an open door policy at work, and I encourage honest conversations every day. This includes having difficult conversations, but helps me find ways to problem solve with the members of my team.

Give your team space to unwind

It is impossible to expect that every member of your team is completely motivated all of the time – in fact, if they are given time to relax and unwind, you may find that they are more productive overall. Offering your team a space to not only get away from their desks but to actually have fun is a great way to keep their energy levels up and their minds fresh. Some ways to do this could be adding an air hockey table to the room, or creating a gaming area for people who need to step away.

Keep things sociable

Gone are the days of the office that is silent other than everybody tapping away on their keyboards; working hard does not need to be a solo endeavour. Teams who chat together while they work form better bonds and create better group work, as well as offering each other better support when issues come up in both their work life and their personal life. This is imperative for creating a working environment where everybody feels that they want to do their best.

Do you manage a team of people? How do you keep them motivated while they are at work? Share your tips and advice in the comments below.

Georgie

Georgie – twenty something content creator based in Yorkshire, writing about all things pretty in life