If there is one thing I know about you, it's that you likely have a hope of finding a job that doesn't feel like work. How great it would be to have a job that we can go to, spend multiple hours at, and not even feel like there is an obligation to be there. While it really boils down to our ability to fall in love with what we are doing, there are some things that I believe can make people fall in love with their work in any setting. How do leaders create a culture that people fall in love with?
Obviously it's a big question and there are multiple factors that play into someone 'falling in love' with their work, but I would argue that there is one factor that can be implemented into any organization and make a positive change that bring people a bit closer to being in love with what they do.
From my own experience and from knowing other people, relationships make or break a work environment. So much so that for some people, one good work relationship will keep them in a toxic work environment just because they enjoy looking forward to seeing and being around that one person while they have to work.
I believe that the best way to create a work environment where people don't feel like they are at work is to create an environment that is relational. Where people feel like they really truly know the people they are working with. They laugh together, disagree healthily, and encourage one another. When people are included in ways that they feel like they have relationships, they fall in love with the relations with coworkers and in turn, the organization.
As a leader, it starts by being relational with your team. Crack jokes with them when appropriate, disagree healthily with people on your leadership team, and encourage your team. It may not happen overnight, but over time people will start to see the love you have for the people around you and see that it's not only okay to crack jokes, disagree, and encourage each other, but that it's actually better for everyone. Sure, there may be some outliers, but chances are they follow suit sooner or later.
If you want an organizational culture where people want to be at work and are willing to go the extra mile because work just really doesn't feel a whole lot like work; build relationships. Be a relational leader.
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