"What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)
We often hear the term “positive work culture” and its importance. It is a good idea to define what that means and how to foster it. According to Forbes, a positive workplace culture "improves teamwork, raises the morale, increases productivity and efficiency, and enhances retention of the workforce. Job satisfaction, collaboration, and work performance are all enhanced. And, most importantly, a positive workplace environment in employees.” *
It is straightforward to foster a positive workplace environment. The opposite would be a negative or hostile culture. This would be very disheartening to work in, likely leading to poor work performance and high turnover. This does not sound like an environment people would like to work in. Although the owner, director, or manager ultimately takes responsibility for the culture of the workplace, everyone working in the company has a role to play in making it either a positive or negative one.
Much of having a positive culture depends on how we treat others. Doing the right thing, doing it kindly and leaning on God for wisdom, strength and ability are three pillars that promote this kind of culture.
Six Ways You Can Bring Micah 6:8 to Work to Foster a Positive Culture
1. Love Kindness: Connect with Others. There are many ways you can do this and the most important thing is to be natural and yourself. It can simply be things like saying hello, asking them how their weekend was, saying good-bye at the end of the day, asking people to join you for coffee or lunch and finding out more about them. When you make an effort to connect with others, people will feel welcomed, and comfortable, to connect with you. What is one thing you can do this week to connect with someone?
2. Love Kindness: Show Consideration and Empathy. When you already have a connection with someone and get to know them, it will be easier for you to tell if they need assistance with something in particular, support or an encouraging word. The more you spend time with someone or talk to them about what is important to them, the more you will be sensitive to someone and see if they need some support. They may share some struggles or difficulties with you, whether they are in the workplace or at home. What is one thing you can do his week to show consideration or empathy to someone?
3. Do Justice: Help Others. Go out of your way to do something. When you have the opportunity to physically help someone to help make their load lighter, take the opportunity to do so. It could be helping them with a difficult project or spending time with them to problem-solve a difficult client. Who comes to mind that has been struggling with a task or situation you can assist with?
4. Do Justice: Be Consistent. Doing justice means to be consistent in how you treat others. Be respectful and professional to everyone you work with. Not just some people. That is right and fair to do. Is there someone at work that you are not treating as fairly as others? If so, think of one thing you can start doing differently this week.
5. Walk Humbly with God: Pray for Others. Walking humbly with God includes asking God to demonstrate to you if people have needs. We can see some things but God sees everything. Ask God to reveal to you people who need His help and write down who that person is.
6. Walk Humbly with God. See How He Nudges You. Once God puts someone on your heart, listen to His voice on what He wants you to do. If He is nudging you to do something: do it. Is there someone who comes to mind and something specifically you can do?
May God richly bless you this week as you take steps, and responsibility in your workplace, to make it more positive.
Have a great (and positive!) week.
Bonny, Christian Women at Work
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