8 practical tips for creating a positive work environment

Each person experiences war in a different way and reactions can be unforeseen, so leaders of their teams face a challenge: how to mentor employees in times of war? Motivation but not pressure? How to find a balance between empathy and the interests of the company?

We have prepared small but very valuable tips on how to maintain the mental health of the team in times of war and how to interact with each other in such conditions.

1. WORK-LIFE BALANCE

The phrase work-life balance has gained a lot of popularity these days. Especially after the events that began in Ukraine in February 2022, more and more businesses are paying attention to the mental health of their employees.

Determine the boundaries between your employees' work and personal lives, how much time they are willing to devote to work, and how much time they are willing to devote to family, friends, hobbies, and relaxation. Set realistic expectations for their productivity. Setting boundaries will help you maintain balance and prevent overload.

Create a flexible schedule that allows you to divide your time between work and personal activities. Develop effective time management strategies, such as prioritizing tasks, delegating, scheduling, and using scheduling apps, that will increase your productivity.

2. PSYCHOLOGICAL COMFORT

Ensuring an appropriate level of psychological comfort for employees is not an easy task, because in addition to the psychological consequences of war, such problems as professional burnout, conflicts, disputes, issues related to poor communication, etc. do not disappear.

Since this topic is too broad, let's focus on a few factors that can significantly reduce tension and increase the level of comfort in the company.

Remote work. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, many companies have switched to remote working hours. However, in the current environment, some employees may find it more convenient to work from the office. A compromise can be a “hybrid” work schedule, when each employee chooses where they will work the next week, based on their personal needs.

Volunteering. How about joining forces? Choose several areas of volunteering that you can do together. Schedule mini-meetings to discuss the results and plans. In this way, you will kill two birds with one stone by increasing trust, improving communication within the company, and rallying the team around an extremely important cause.

Professional psychological support. Each person is unique, has their own unique life experience, and reacts differently to stress. Therefore, you should not neglect even the slightest opportunity to organize several sessions with a psychologist for company employees.

3. PHYSICAL COMFORT

It should not be assumed that issues of physical comfort fade into the background during war. They are more important than ever.

It is worth consulting with your employees and thinking “outside the box”: what else can help make hard times a little easier?

Perhaps you need folding furniture for shelter, supplies of hermetically sealed food, or sleeping bags in case of an emergency. It's important to listen to every suggestion, analyze the need behind it, and meet it. There are many options, and not all of them are costly. The main thing is to be aware of the current needs of employees, show a little care, and use your imagination.

4. DISCIPLINE AND MOTIVATION

Encouraging employees has always been important for business owners, but now it is a necessity, as many people have lost their enthusiasm and feel confused after the outbreak of a full-scale war in Ukraine. The task of company leaders today is to keep employee productivity at a certain level by motivating them in various ways. Let's analyze the most effective ones in this article.

Financial incentives. The most common type of motivation is a salary increase or bonus. It's worth noting that a salary increase can not only motivate employees but also give them a sense of importance in the company.

Ideological motivation. It's also important to support the team morally, conveying to people that the goals and objectives they are working on continue to be important and necessary. You can also ask the team and discuss who can be useful at a particular stage of the project.

Gifts for good results. The company can pay for a vacation, training courses, equipment, or discounts on company goods or services to an employee who has implemented a project in advance. However, to motivate the team properly, the manager must know what exactly his team is interested in and understand the core values of the employees.

5. MISTAKES ARE NORMAL

Since the beginning of the war, one of the greatest fears of man has been the fear of losing his job, as we have all been absorbed in times of uncertainty, and thus the area that brings us income has not been spared.

If you notice that an employee systematically makes the same mistake or lacks skills, don't rush to fire them or deprive them of their bonus. The best option would be to take a refresher course. Not only will you not harm their psychological state, but you will also diversify their work and help them get away from routine worries.

Your employees should not be afraid to make mistakes for fear of being fired. Be sure to let your employees know that mistakes are normal in the work experience.

6. COMMUNICATE NOT ONLY ON WORK-RELATED TOPICS

Of course, at work, communication should mostly take place within the framework of professional relationships, but you shouldn't forget that behind your colleague is an ordinary person with his or her own life and experiences.

So, for example, if you work in an office, it's a good idea to create a relaxation area. Set aside one room where you can place table tennis or football, a coffee machine, a sofa, and a table at your discretion. You can discuss these details with your employees beforehand, what they would like to do during the break, and what kind of atmosphere they would feel comfortable communicating in.

Stay in touch with your colleagues not only on work-related issues. Arrange online meetings to chat about free topics and joke around. Talk about what's bothering your colleagues (they may not want to share their negative emotions in formal online meetings with managers). Talk about useful things, for example, recommend motivating books or interesting speeches.

Also, don't forget about traditions and holidays. Despite the martial law, continue celebrating birthdays or other important dates: it is important for employees to feel that they are remembered. Celebrate the company's small victories, for example, when a new project is awarded. Such traditions will help to distract from routine work and can also serve as future topics for discussion among employees.

7. SHOW CARE AND EMPATHY

Due to severe stress, a person can close down, which further depresses the emotional state. Therefore, it is important to find out how the person feels, whether he or she or their loved ones are okay, or whether they need help. An employee may not immediately open up, responding unemotionally, or dryly. This is normal: a person just needs more time to speak up and accept help.

The simple phrase “How are you?” has gained great importance today, more than ever. It demonstrates care and creates a feeling that a person is not indifferent to his or her colleagues.

But don't forget about yourself: you can help someone, support them, and be there for them only if you have the resources to do so. You cannot give your “oxygen mask” to another person if you cannot breathe yourself.

8. TEAM BUILDING

Team building is an important investment in the future of any company. Today, there are many classifications of team building and organizations involved in it.

Sports team building. Climbing and descending mountains, diving into the depths of the sea, and team sports are among the most popular types of team building. If a team spends most of its time indoors, any activity that involves a change of scenery will benefit them.

Intellectual and psychological team building. It can be intellectual games, quests, photo hunting in urban environments, and joint handicrafts. This type of team building does not require physical effort, allows you to stay in a comfortable urban environment, and at the same time effectively reveals yourself to team members.

Creativity. Joint creative activities help to reveal your talents and prove yourself in non-standard conditions. Theater and musical performances, literary evenings, dance competitions, and historical modeling help to look at team members not in the usual office environment, but with a fresh perspective.

In conclusion, we emphasize that the working atmosphere and morale of your team directly affect the performance of tasks and the achievement of goals. So how do you create all the conditions for this in the realities of war? It's simple. Listen to your employees, take care of their safety, and maintain an atmosphere of trust and mutual assistance in the team.

If you have any questions or have an idea about hiring a team of professional developers in Ukraine, we would be glad to fuel your business idea with our services: contact.us@gointeractive.co