There’s no denying the immense joy seemingly small things bring in life. Just like they make our life more meaningful and happier, little things at work can also significantly create a positive workplace culture. While big things help cast a good first impression, the small things can maintain employee motivation in the long run and retain them too.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at the five small things that make a big impact at work:

Celebrations and Parties

Office parties and celebrations provide the perfect opportunity for employers and managers to get to know employees and team members better. Office parties provide a much-needed break to employees and time to celebrate the results of what they work toward, day in and day out. They allow employees to own their contribution to the company and receive acknowledgment, which translates to increased employee motivation.

Moreover, office parties also contribute toward a positive workplace culture by presenting the workplace as a place for socializing and having fun. So don’t restrict your office celebrations to holiday parties and annual events. Instead, celebrate employee birthdays, project successes, promotions, and even personal milestones like weddings, the birth of children, etc.

Employee Training Sessions

Scheduling frequent training and development sessions for employees leads to drastically positive results for the following reasons:

  • It promotes a culture of learning and improvement.
  • It assists employees in enhancing their skills and work output.
  • It allows the company to own the responsibility of contributing to its employees’ skills rather than just expecting them to do it independently.
  • It provides an environment where asking questions is appreciated, allowing new hires to understand company practices and become a part of the team.
  • It enhances communication between team members and various teams within the company to find the best solutions.
  • It encourages efficiency, promoting contribution by young employees.
  • It conveys to employees that the company believes they are worth investing in.

To achieve a positive workplace culture through training sessions, consider scheduling at least one session or workshop every quarter. However, companies that are a part of constantly evolving industries, such as IT, can greatly benefit from one employee training session per month.

Small Teams

According to the Ringelmann Effect, the average individual output by team members decreases as the number of team members increases. In simple words, smaller teams are more engaged and productive than larger ones.

The reasons for smaller teams being more productive is obvious. Communication is easier between small teams. Managers of small teams can easily identify the strengths and skills of their team members. On the other hand, larger teams require strict discipline to ensure proper workflow. While the strict workflow helps keep things in order, it discourages efficiency and creativity.

Team members in small teams are also more accountable for their work as they see the impact of their productivity and contribution. Noting the impact of their contribution also increases employee motivation and makes work more enjoyable.

 

Additionally, the three tips mentioned above all promote communication. Healthy and open communication is key to positive workplace culture through small things.