With Thanksgiving just behind us, Christmas and the New Year fast approaching, it is that time again to think about our accomplishments and what we are most thankful for this year.
Usually every year as we are going around the thanksgiving table remarking what we are most thankful for, I find myself saying family, which is true, but this year I am most grateful for something different – my work family.
I started working for Peake Media about 14 months ago and in that short amount of time my co-workers have become trusted friends and my surrogate family. For the first time I do not dread going to work everyday, instead I look forward to it and even miss it over the weekends. Sundays are not filled with sadness, rather excitement to see my co-workers. Workdays fly by and are filled with laughter.
Having had pervious jobs where I dreaded going to work, I know I am very lucky and this is not the case for everyone. But now having experienced both ends of the spectrum, I can clearly say how important a positive work environment is for both employee morale but also productivity.
In his book, The 5 Levels of Leadership, John C. Maxwell discusses this exact point. He explains that people quit people, not companies. “Good workers leave an organization when the work environment is poor,” said Maxwell. “Interview a person who has left and the odds are high that they did not leave their job. They left the people they had to work with.”
I couldn’t agree with Maxwell more, while sometimes work might be tough or overwhelming, my co-workers are what keep me going. While I love writing for Campus Rec, that is not what gets me most excited to come to work everyday, my co-workers are.
If you are in a leadership position within your recreation center, maybe take this time to check in with your team members. How are they feeling about work, what do they love most and are there any improvements that could be made to the work environment in the New Year?
While the students and patrons who use the facility might tend to be the priority, it is also essential to make sure each and every employee feels like part of a team and is hopefully energized to come to work everyday.
