For too long, the idea of separating our personal and professional lives has been accepted as the norm. However, recent research has shown that when people feel emotionally connected to their work and can find meaning in their contribution to the organization, they become far more productive and engaged. This is why it’s so important for companies to make business personal. In this blog post, we’ll look at how to make our work personal, and why it’s important for creating great company cultures.
For years, people have been taught to keep their business and personal lives separate. This has meant that in the workplace, we are expected to set aside our feelings and simply focus on getting work done. The issue with this is that it is impossible to completely separate our emotions from our work. Whether we realize it or not, we bring our feelings into the workplace with us and these can influence how we interact with others and how productive we are.
When we try to keep our business and personal lives separate, we can end up feeling disconnected from our work. This makes it hard to find any real meaning in what we do and often leads to decreased productivity. We may also feel as though we lack a sense of belonging or purpose. This can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction in the workplace which can then lead to a lack of commitment and poor performance.
Ultimately, when we try to keep our business and personal lives separate, we fail to create an environment that encourages productivity and fosters meaningful relationships between colleagues.
Making business personal can be beneficial for both employers and employees alike. Here are a few benefits to making business personal:
1. Improved Engagement: When people feel a sense of emotional connection with their work, they are more likely to become more engaged in the tasks they are completing. This engagement can lead to increased productivity, better customer service, and a greater sense of pride in the work they do.
2. Increased Loyalty: When employees feel like their work is more than just a job, but an important part of their life, they are more likely to be loyal to the company. This loyalty can lead to greater commitment to their role and better performance overall.
3. Higher Retention Rates: As mentioned above, when employees feel that their work is meaningful, they are more likely to stay with a company longer. This can help reduce costs associated with employee turnover and create a stable workforce.
4. Better Collaboration: When employees feel a connection to their coworkers, they are more likely to be open and willing to collaborate with them. This collaboration leads to more creative solutions and improved teamwork.
5. Improved Morale: Making business personal can create an atmosphere of positive morale, which can help increase motivation and inspire employees to do their best work.
By making business personal, companies can create an environment that is both beneficial for employees and beneficial for the company. Employees will feel valued and appreciated, while the company will benefit from increased productivity, improved customer service, and greater loyalty from its employees.
Making your business more personal does not mean that you can’t be professional or that you have to be overly familiar with your co-workers, but it does mean that creating an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings is important. Here are some tips for making business personal:
1. Allow for Open Communication: Make sure that communication channels in the workplace are open and two-way. Encourage employees to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas openly and create a space where everyone feels safe to do so.
2. Promote a Culture of Respect: Show employees respect by listening to them and valuing their contributions. Acknowledge their achievements and foster an atmosphere where everyone is appreciated and valued.
3. Offer Flexible Work Schedules: Allowing employees to have flexible work schedules can help make business more personal by allowing people to take time off when they need it or have family responsibilities. This shows that you recognize that everyone has lives outside of work and need to prioritize those things sometimes.
4. Celebrate Small Wins: Celebrate successes, no matter how small. Take the time to recognize employee achievements, even if it’s just for completing a task on time or finding a creative solution to a problem. Showing employees appreciation for their hard work will help make things more personal in a professional atmosphere.
5. Get to Know Employees: Invest time in getting to know employees personally. Ask about their families, hobbies, etc. Showing genuine interest in who they are will help create a more personal atmosphere in the workplace.
Making business personal is essential in order to create a successful company culture where employees feel connected and valued. By implementing these strategies, you can make business more personal and create an environment where everyone can thrive.