The following five stratgies for creating hope in the workplace are from Dr. Robert Veninga, a great leader in the research and education of hope in the workplace.  First strategy for employees is to protect their own health and well-being.  When we fly, the flight attendants tell us that if we are traveling with a dependent passenger, and if we should need oxygen, that first we must place the oxygen mask over our own face — and then secure the oxygen mask over our dependent.  We can’t help others if we aren’t capable.  There’s numerous ways to care for ourselves, and one good way is to begin each day by “centering” on what is important.  Strategy two is promoting respect in the workplace.  Surveys have asked the question, “do you get the respect at work that you deserve?”  Forty percent say no.   Third strategy for building hope is to promote an energized work environment — a place where employees want to come to work and where they have pride in what they do.  Tactics are numerous but the most powerful is recognition.  Fourth strategy is to unleash the intellectual capital of workers.  Empowerment is a buzz word but it also energizes employees.  The fifth strategy is to strengthen the leadership skills of managers and supervisors.  Many supervisors are promoted because of their technical skills and are good people but they just aren’t trained in the supervisory skills.  The last strategy for developing hope in the workplace is developing pride.  Pride in the work performed and pride in the organization. 

Hope is the belief that something IS going to get better.  Creating a hopeful workplace requires strategies to ensure employees have hope. 

Hopeful employees provide improved customer service, have healthier lives, display positive dispositions and all these impact an employer’s bottom line.  So let’s drive hope into the workplace.

Robert Veninga is a Professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota and has researched and written extensively about hope.   

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 at 5:44 pm. Please comment or trackback.