One element that is indispensable to our success or failure in life is our behavior. That is, our behavior to life and major activities revolving round our career determines what we make out of it per time. Successful organizations function well at every level. From executive positions to employees handling the day-to-day operations of a company, each person knows his or her role in making the organization a great place to work. But even successful organizations experience times when employees, partners and board members are not content. Motivating good organizational behaviors through goal setting, workplace improvements, positive reinforcement and recognition help to create a positive work environment (Richards, 2018). From the foregoing, it can be categorically established that people can improve their behavior for good. In the next few paragraphs, I will explore ways in which you can improve your behavior for the benefits of all.
Before I start, may I confess that one of the hardest things in the life of every human is change; we find it very difficult to change, even in the face of torture and obvious dissatisfaction. The first proactive step towards an improved behavior is environmental change. This may be the easiest way to change an unwanted behavior—altering something that no longer works or is keeping you stuck in a rut. I say this because your environment may manipulate your decision-making more than you think. Example: If you want to lose weight, why not pick a smaller plate so you consume less food? Or walk to the eating establishments you normally drive to at lunch? Maybe your office is too close to the snack machines or cafeteria. Ask to relocate it to another part of the building. Catch my drift? Change your environment and you’ll re-train your brain to make other choices (Schwantes, 2018). Environment is the most pronounced nurtured factor that affects behavior. While we have just a little bit of control over the biological factors, we can always work on the nurtured ones.
Furthermore, if you want an improvement in behavior, it’s high time you changed your circle of friends. Is your peer network dragging you down? Tired of the criticism and negativity? Are you caught up in unwanted gossip? Reevaluate the people you hang out with at work, and carefully select the type of people that will contribute to your growth, collaborate like a rockin’ work community, and respect others around them for failing and being human (Schwantes, 2018). If you want to move forward, you really have to be diplomatic about stepping on the toes of some people who are unhelpful. The more you keep to old friends, the more you clinch to the old nature.
In addition, you take on a new challenge or project, things seem exciting at first, and then the mundane starts to set in. Before boredom strips all the joy away from your work, inject fun into your routine by rewarding yourself when goals are met. Think right now, how can you reward yourself after a hard day’s work? Or when that quarterly project is finally over? What will you absolutely enjoy at the end of the road or when you reach the top of the mountain? A trip to some exotic place (the long-term reward)? Or a trip down to your favorite ice cream shop (the short-term reward)? (Schwantes, 2018). Just find something to do that will disconnect you from the usual rigors of the old tasks.
Also, change one bad habit that’s getting in the way. Please, make it one per time. Stop thinking like your whole world needs to be changed. Instead, focusing on fixing one thing at a time is the key to lasting change. Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do In Life And Business, says that you should think of change as a project where you spend a month to change something permanently. Give it a month, and move on to the next “project.” You’ll be reaping the benefits of this approach for years to come (Schwantes, 2018). If you want to work on too many issues per time, you will end being nothing. So, work on the most challenging one first and then, move to the next one.
Apart from individual goals, companies and employers in general can also work on the behavior of their employees. This should start with individual goal setting. Set goals for individual employees that allow them to progress toward a desired benchmark. Have goal-setting meetings with each employee and encourage him to be a part of the process. Listen to his suggestions and vision for his position in the organization and design goals accordingly. This empowers employees with a sense of ownership in the company and gives them the responsibility of seeing it succeed. Goal setting promotes good organizational behaviors (Richards, 2018).
In the same vein, monitor employee work spaces, meeting rooms and common areas for needed improvements. Employees are happiest when they are comfortable in the spaces where they spend so much time. Improved lighting, fresh paint, well-stocked supply rooms, equipment that is kept in working order and a warm and inviting lunch area help improve morale and organizational behavior. Paying attention to small details improves performance and helps employees know they are a valued part of the organizational team (Richards, 2018).
More so, there should be positive reinforcement. Provide a reward system for employees at every level for increased productivity. Getting rewards is a great motivator for more-efficient work and better organizational behavior. Gift cards to popular coffee shops or lunch spots, employee of the month parking spaces and simple notes of thanks for a job well done make employees feel they are a valued part of the team. Consider quarterly and yearly bonuses for employees who meet predetermined productivity levels (Richards, 2018).
And finally, provide recognition for employees through quarterly newsletters, interoffice emails and at company events throughout the year. People who are recognized for various achievements are more motivated to continue and expand their efforts. Recognition can also provide needed inspiration to other employees to go above and beyond their current level of productivity. Consider giving team-leader positions or mentorship responsibilities to those who earn recognition to help create an atmosphere of strong ethics and positive organizational behavior (Richards, 2018).
References
Brenner, A (2013). How to Change your Behavior for Good. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-flux/201306/how-change-your-behavior-good
Richards, P (2018). How to Improve the Behavior of the Individuals in an Organization. Retrieved from https://smallbusiness.chron.com/improve-behavior-individuals-organization-42101.html
Schwantes, M (2018). 5 Effective Ways to Change your Behavior and Improve your Life. Retrieved from https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/change-is-hard-here-are-5-things-to-make-your-transition-a-lot-easier.html
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