Creating Happy Workplaces | Four Leadership Practices That Work

23/02/2024

Enhance Motivation and Productivity with These Key Leadership Techniques

Depending on the national or international day on the calendar this week, business-y social media (well, LinkedIn essentially) is flooded with good news stories and company initiatives, celebrating happiness at work. But as the buzz fades and we move into another week, what happens to happiness at work when the spotlight moves off it?

What’s Happiness Got to Do with Leadership?

If you’re working, you’re either leading, being led, or often a bit of both. So, how happy do you feel in your leadership role? How happy do you think the other leaders around you feel?

We encounter many leaders who appear happy on the outside but are struggling internally with imposter syndrome, insecurity, and unhappiness in their leadership roles. If no one has taught you how to create happiness for yourself as a leader, let alone for others, where do you start?

When we talk about leaders feeling happy, we don’t mean a permanent state of bliss (if only, eh?). We mean leaders who feel comfortable in their own skin, confident in who they are, and capable in their roles. Only then can leaders create the conditions for their people to feel the same way. This is what Lead Happy is all about, it’s the foundation on which everything we do is built.

How Leaders Can Create Cultures of Motivation, Fulfillment, and Happiness

Think of organisational culture as a house. Leaders often describe challenges in their cultures—people leaving, low motivation levels, silos developing, lack of ownership, or rising conflicts. These issues are just the visible symptoms, like holes in the roof. The root causes lie deeper, at the foundation level.

Using our unique Lead Happy House™, we explore with leaders and teams every aspect of their leadership and organisational culture. By examining the visible issues (holes in the roof) and working down to the foundational elements, we identify the game changers needed to create a culture of fulfillment, purpose, and growth—ultimately leading to happiness.

When you get these cornerstones in place, you can build a house that will be the envy of the neighbourhood. Here’s a look at these essential elements:

1)Trust

To trust someone, you have to know them—simple, right? So if your team doesn’t really know you, how can they trust you? Here are some easy ways to build trust:

• Start every meeting with a bang by asking questions that provoke conversation (e.g., “What’s the most embarrassing item in your house?”). This helps the human side of people emerge and lowers guards instantly.
• Always try to ask open questions to get waves of information rather than a trickle from closed questions.

2) Connection

We crave connection as humans; it’s hardwired into our DNA. Make these simple changes to see how connection skyrockets:

• Whenever you consider the word ‘communicate,’ replace it with ‘connect.’ People don’t want more emails; they want to make a human connection with you.
• Remember what people share with you and follow up on it—this is connection gold.

3) Belonging

Diversity and inclusion are crucial, but creating a sense of belonging goes further. Here are two ideas to foster belonging:

• Invite different views into the room during meetings. Talking to the same people will yield the same perspectives, making your wider community feel unwelcome.
• Be authentic in your role. You’ve been hired for your personality, beliefs, and flair as much as your skills and talents—show them all with gusto!

4) Safety

Creating an environment of psychological safety is at the heart of great leadership. Here are two small ideas with a big impact:

• Foster a culture where people feel comfortable making mistakes (and owning up to them) and learning along the way.
• Admit when you don’t know something. Show vulnerability and ask for help when needed. It empowers your people by acknowledging their unique skills.

If you want to explore your leadership culture, book a free leadership diagnostic session with us. We bring a fresh perspective and our unique Lead Happy formula, covering every aspect of brilliant leadership.

Get in touch with the team at team.jester@leadhappy.co.uk.