All managers should know that there are steps they can take to create a happier place to work for their employees.  Although we can not be held responsible for the happiness of others, our actions can go a long way toward making others feel more comfortable and happier. 

"The persons with whom you work reflect your own attitude.  If you are suspicious, unfriendly and condescending, you will find these unlovely traits echoed all about you.  But if you are on your best behavior, you will bring out the best in the persons with whom you are going to spend most of your waking hours." - Beatrice Vincent

Creating a happier environment is imperative to increasing your company profits, reducing employee turnover, and increasing productivity.  Changing your work environment must become a priority for CEOs and managers alike.  There are ten important elements to creating a happier work environment. 

1.  Good Manager/Employee Communication
2.  Encourage Additional Skills Training
3.  Incorporating Fun in Your Work Environment
4.  Trust in Management
5.  Better and More Frequent Performance Evaluations
6.  Eliminate Negative Attitudes
7.  Team Spirit
8.  Rewards & Recognition
9.  Ability to Promote
10. Fair Monetary and Non-Monetary Compensation

Beatrice Vincent made it clear how our attitude and the attitude of others in the office can affect the environment around us.  A manager with a positive attitude can set the tone for a more favorable work environment.  In addition, this positive attitude trickles all the way down to the customer, therefore encouraging customer loyalty.  A manager can influence the culture of the company by the attitudes of the employees they hire.  For example, Southwest Airlines actually has "a sense of humor" on the airline's job application.  This airline has one of the lowest employee turnover rates among all airlines.  Southwest has also stayed in the black during high gas prices and in the aftermath of 9/11.  They must know something about keeping their customers and employees happy. 

On the other hand, one person with a negative attitude can infect an office to the point of driving employees and customers away, delaying work projects, and creating dissension among departments.  You must eliminate negativity from your work environment as quickly as possible.  Get rid of negative employees, or put them in a place where their poisonous attitude will not affect others.  Also, an employee with a poor attitude may be the most visible sign of their unhappiness with their work or status.  If you have a good relationship with your employees you should be able to talk openly with them to the adjust situation.  Sometimes, changing the work assignments of an employee can do wonders for their attitude.

A positive attitude that you and your employees have can set such a tone for your office that they will enjoy coming to work.  You may immediately see your employees taking less sick days, because they may experience less antagonism and pessimism in the office.  You will be pleasantly surprised at what simply improving your work environment will do for your employee morale and their productivity.

Angela Huffmon is a National Professional Speaker, trainer, and an entrepreneur.  If you would like to book Angela Huffmon for your upcoming corporate meeting or conference, send an email to angelah@shuffent.com.