3 Ways to Create a More Human Workplace

In this fast-paced world, it can be hard to see the human behind the computer screen, let alone take time to appreciate them as a human. This effect of our rapid advancement has carried over into the workplace, making it easier to work with people around the world, but harder to truly connect with our neighbors.

As a result, human resource managers and business owners are constantly challenged to create a more human workplace. With mental health issues on the rise, creating a human environment can be the difference between a strong, engaged team, and high turnover paired with low productivity.

What Does it Mean to be Human?

Asking what it means to be human is akin to asking the meaning of life: there are endless answers, though nothing clear and definitive. In the context of a work setting, however, there are a few key identifiers that are crucial to understand.

For a workplace to be considered human, it must create a positive, people-centric culture for all. This includes characteristics like the opportunity for growth, prioritizing appreciation and gratitude, looking at whole person development, and ultimately creating a safe place for workers, regardless of their background. Here are three ways you can create a more human workplace.

Offer Support at all Levels

The ability to offer someone support is not the same as fixing everyone’s problems. Rather, it’s providing the resources people need to empower them to help themselves and others. Nor do these resources have to be tangible things: Support can be physical resources and tools or interactions between people.

Mentorship and Coaching

How do you help your people develop and grow by helping each other? Implementing a mentorship and coaching program at work can help your leaders develop their leadership skills, becoming better communicators and problem solvers while giving your up-and-coming talent a chance to grow and flourish.

Training and Development

Offer training and development opportunities to help your people learn new skills or improve upon their current skill set. Doing so shows that you care about your employees’ goals and aspirations, giving them the support they need to move up the ladder.

Resources

What do your employees need to do their job and do it well? Is it certain software that you don’t currently have? Is it a better engagement program to keep them productive? Is it a specific type of keyboard that helps prevent their recurring carpal tunnel? Are there scheduling conflicts? Implement an efficient employee schedule maker to deal with them. Ask your employees what they need to do their job well and provide them if possible.

Celebrate Successes as a Team

While your accounting team may not have been directly involved in your new product launch, chances are they ran the financials to ensure the project was viable and kept things running smoothly so that there would be money to fund the project.

What many people fail to realize when it comes to business is that everyone has a piece of the pie. Even the smallest of contributions have a ripple effect and make larger successes possible. For this reason, successes should be celebrated as a team. Highlight achievements and take the time to address individual departments within an organization. Show your people how they contributed to overall success on a macro level.

To create a human workplace, you must also zoom in and highlight the efforts and achievements of individuals, apart from the team. When someone goes above and beyond, address their effort with the team. Take the time to thank people for their work, and encourage your employees to do the same. Cultivate a culture of mutual respect.

It also helps to go beyond the scope of work and acknowledge achievements. If someone finished their Master’s program, let people know. If an employee trained and ran a marathon, congratulate them. Take time to show people that you see them and the things they are doing to improve.

Work Hard, Play Hard

Encourage people to work harder by encouraging them to have more fun. Let everyone take some time away from their computers to connect on a human level. Offer opportunities for team building and collaboration both in and out of the office.

One of the key challenges technology has presented is the ability to set boundaries and shut off the work-minded brain for an extended length of time. While the ability to conduct business from one’s smartphone is convenient when on the road, it also leads to checking work emails before bed or while on vacation. Additionally, people get plugged into their computer screen and rarely come out to socialize while at work.

Set up an area where your employees can sit and sip their coffee, giving themselves a chance to recharge and become more productive. Reward met goals and hard work with a team event, such as a dinner or golf day. Create opportunities for play and relaxation to keep your people interactive and engaged with the team.

Creating a more human workplace will boost your productivity and create a positive atmosphere that people look forward to working in. Technology has made a lot of jobs easier, but it will never replace the human touch of a workplace.