Workplace Climate

The workplace climate can both positively and negatively affect staff performance and program outcomes. Creating and maintaining a positive working environment depends on the needs of your staff, the work you do, and the resources you have. Having opportunities for team building, creating policies for conflict resolution, and providing coaching or mentoring are great places to start!

Elements of Positive Working

Team Building
  • Team building activities can boost morale and help retain frontline project staff.
  • Using team building activities is a way to work through issues as a group, foster positive relationships, and build trust within the workplace.
Conflict Resolution
  • Antagonism and hostility in the workplace are not to be taken lightly. Left unaddressed, unresolved issues between staff can result in resentment, lowered productivity, and even staff attrition.
  • In some cases, you may want to consider consulting a professional mediation service if your organization or agency isn’t able to address conflict internally.
  • Conflict resolved in a fair and professional manner can build trust.
Coaching and Mentoring
  • Coaching and mentoring are developmental partnerships in which one person shares knowledge and expertise with another with the goal of improving performance.
  • Coaching and mentoring offers managers an opportunity to engage staff in a more reflective training process, encourages personal growth and professional development, and creates a workplace that fosters constructive dialogue.