Image source: Pexels
From the furthest reaches of the North Pole to the manmade beaches of Johannesburg, the planet is now teeming with over 7.5 billion human beings and there’s no sign of us slowing down yet. Perhaps the best thing about the human race is that, despite the colossal number of us, we’re all unique: we each have our own hopes, dreams and personalities. With so many of us in the UK spending our working lives in offices, how do we reflect our individuality in these spaces - and why should we?
In today’s post, the experts at Action Storage will be shedding some light on why our uniqueness matters so much in the workplace - exploring 5 ways that encouraging individuality aids employee retention.
1. You demonstrate that you care
By building a welcoming environment that encourages individuality, you demonstrate that you not only embrace the unique needs of workers, but that you actually care for your staff. Creating that connection between leaders and employees is so crucial in the workplace, and can go a long way towards strengthening a staff member’s loyalty to the business. Whether you’re ensuring there are vegetarian options at the staff buffet or you’re engaging with LGBTQ team members to address their concerns, making employees feel their personal needs are valued will deepen their connection with the company - which will ultimately allow you to build a long-term, dedicated, happy team.
2. You nurture creativity
Individuality is at the core of a creative workforce, as it’s our unique mindsets that allow us to think outside of the box and come up with new ideas and processes. This uniqueness enables us to use our imaginations to solve the problems we come across on a day-to-day basis in business, no matter which industry we work in. Whether you’re managing a digital marketing agency or a high-end fashion retail outlet, creativity is crucial for businesses looking to innovate and expand.
Suppressing the desire for individuals to express their unique identities is a surefire way to spread dissent and hamper creativity amongst your workforce - so make sure you encourage individuality to build a more engaged and satisfied team. If you’re wondering where to start, it can be as simple as allowing team members to choose the colour of their own office furniture sets over a predetermined, uniform alternative.
3. You create a happy place to work
Image source: Pexels
Image source: Calibre Office Furniture
Whether office workers cover their desks with an assortment of indoor plants or with photos of their loved ones, giving them the opportunity to be in control of their own workstation will be sure to bring personality and colour into the office. During working hours, staff only have a small area they can call their own - so let them customise the office furniture around them with accessories. This way, they can create a place they can feel comfortable in during the day.
If employees are given the freedom to personalise their own desk space, studies suggest they can work up to 25% more productively than those working in a sterile space - plus, people appreciate the freedom they have when they can bring a taste of their unique identity to their workspaces.
4. You build a team that works well together
Building a team that celebrates and promotes diversity provides the chance to take in different viewpoints on projects and problems, which might otherwise be missed. A complementary set of skills, ideas and traits is the driving force behind an effective team - and by encouraging team members to be themselves, you can get the very best out of your staff. Ultimately, a team that works well together will be happier than one that doesn’t - which means staff are much more likely to commit to a business for the long haul, as they feel personally connected to their peers.
5. You pull down boundaries
In the not-too-distant past, corporate environments were very procedural, structured and, well, corporate. Today, our offices are constantly evolving to become more open, forward-thinking and inclusive - which enables staff members to feel confident about contributing new ideas, raising issues and being generally more transparent with their thoughts and feelings.
Whether you’re giving staff the chance to choose their own office chairs or letting them organise their workstation with personalised office storage, moving away from a sterile workspace environment will go a long way towards fostering an environment where people can speak their minds and feel appreciated.
Business owners and managers who embrace the uniqueness of their workers will undoubtedly reap the benefits in the long run. You get the best out of your team when you can accept their differences and identify their strengths - which is precisely why small changes designed to celebrate individuality can make such a positive impact on employee wellbeing, retention and productivity.
Guest post: Simon Mitchell at Action Storage