08/ 02/ 2006
It's been proven time and time again: A stress-free worker is a happy worker, and a happy worker is a productive worker. So how do you keep stress down without hurting your productivity, all the while keeping everyone happy? It's not an easy balancing act, but here are some tips that may prove useful.
Set early deadlines. Whenever possible, make assignments and projects due well in advance of when they actually need to be completed, and make sure your employees know that. Need it by Thursday? Encourage employees to have it complete by Monday. No one in your company will want to turn in a halfway-completed project (if so, you have a much bigger problem than stress), but this way no one will worry and fret over the details until it's time. Let everyone know that an extension is possible if there is good reason to need one, and that they will have plenty of time to fix any minor issues that may arise. This will help employees feel like they are working in a leisurely atmosphere, and you will definitely enjoy the more efficient productivity.
Take walks. Encourage your employees to do the same. You don't have to take a long stroll in the park, but if you need to ask a co-worker a question, walk over instead of sending an e-mail or instant message. Need to brainstorm with an employee? Get some fresh air and walk to the corner of the street and back. Part of why a break is relaxing is that you have about 10 minutes with which to collect yourself or think outside the office. Instead of a candy bar or a cigarette break, how about some exercise instead?
Show them the funny. They say, "Laughter is the best medicine," and when the ailment is stress, it may be just what the doctor ordered. Let's face it, you're a business owner, not Jerry Lewis, but that doesn't mean you can't help reduce stress by increasing the level of humor at work. Did you see a comic strip in the Sunday paper that fits your staff to a "T"? Sneak it into your presentation at your next staff meeting or enlarge it and stick it on the break room refrigerator door. Anything you can do to lighten the overall mood will help, and it will show employees that you have a silly side.
Redecorate. You don't have to spend the money tearing down walls and starting over, but you can do some simple things in your small business to increase the comfort level when it comes to the four walls you're in. Add color and light to your surroundings and reduce the clutter. And, if it doesn't pose a safety hazard, encourage employees to add pictures of family and pets to their work space. A couple of plants around the office can liven the place up, too.
Party time! You might be surprised how much a little celebration here and there can lift everyone's spirits. Bake a green cake on St. Patrick's Day. Have red, white and blue cupcakes before Independence Day. But you don't really need to wait for a federal holiday to eat. Celebrate special occasions for employees, like new babies, weddings or employment milestones. These ideas do not cost very much money, and it will help your employees feel like the company is more like a family.
Bottom line. Just pretend you are in the shoes of one of your employees. What would make you happier, healthier and more productive in your workplace? What would help relieve some stress in your day? Constantly brainstorm in that way, and being the savvy entrepreneur that you are, it shouldn't be hard to find a way to reduce stress that also makes good financial sense.
