Humans are wired for connection. From the earliest days, we’ve sought ways to gather, share ideas, and build communities. This fundamental need to connect has driven our evolution and continues to be a cornerstone of our success.
Whether virtually or in the office, with people spending about 30% of their waking hours at work during their working lifetime it is safe to say, that it affects people’s general happiness and life outcomes.
Organisations have long recognised the value of tightly-knit social relationships and networks.
On a complex project or mission, studies say that working in a collaborative rather than individual setting is 50% more effective, as teams can share, assess, combine their knowledge and work on improving ideas, plans or strategies to deliver high-quality work which in turn boosts intrinsic motivation.
The secret sauce of successful organisations? Their people! By tapping into the collective intelligence and collaborative spirit of their workforce, these companies unleash a wave of productivity that benefits everyone.
One of the well-known models of wellbeing, Dr. Seligman’s PERMA™ theory, best explains positive psychology and its impact on workplace happiness. The five elements of the model are also an outcome of a collaborative and connected environment.
Positive emotions
Engagement
Relationships
Meaning
Accomplishment
Communities and network groups are like superchargers for collaboration. They bring people together to achieve shared goals, exchange knowledge, spark ideas, find support, and illuminate each other’s paths. This has been working wonders in the space of like-minded technology groups, where people thrive together, collaborate, peer mentor and aim to gain a sense of craftsmanship.
Open conversations within the organisation without level barriers, period communication and updates on the progress of the together aspired goal, timely appreciation and accolades for good deeds, values that promote innovation assure psychological safety, an essential ingredient for good collaboration, an environment that is safe for interpersonal and ideational risk-taking.
Trust smoothes out the process, reduces friction, and makes working together a breeze. Why? Because trust lowers the complexity and cost of collaboration for everyone involved. Daily standup calls, fun Fridays, offsite events, festival celebrations, cherishing individuals’ life events, and virtual, hybrid or offline connects have only enhanced trust between the team one gets to perceive fellow employees in a different light, allowing one to have a work-life balance which in turn reflects on an individual’s productivity.
While routine is essential, it can sometimes lead to a productivity rut. Recreation acts as a stabilizer, providing a necessary break to recharge and return with renewed focus. This fresh perspective fuels a boost in productivity, allowing you to tackle challenges with new energy and innovative ideas.
Every organisation is built on the strength of its employees, recreation isn’t just a perk, it’s a productivity power-up! By reducing stress and fostering a positive work environment, leaders unlock the power of happy employees. After all, a healthy, spirited team means a successful business.
Positive emotions
Whether in a personal or professional context, happiness, hope, joy, compassion, gratitude – these positive emotions are the sunshine that helps humans flourish! This is why organisations need to build a thriving work culture that is centred on positivity and gratitude to ensure all employees feel valued. Empathy, embracing the individual complete self (just not limited to their professional outcome) creates a sense of belonging. It could be celebrating appreciation weeks, or felicitating high performers.
Engagement
Ever get so lost in a task that time flies by? That’s the magic of flow! When you’re fully engaged in the present moment, completely immersed in what you’re doing, that’s when you hit your peak performance zone. Emphasising one’s passion and skill over tenure, individuals strive to find new and innovative ways to achieve objectives.
Building a positive relationship with everyone is the key to happiness. Post the pandemic, mental health instances have risen, similarly, it’s a known fact positive or negative sentiment at work is contagious. That’s why participating in team-building exercises and events where colleagues can connect and build rapport is so vital.
When employees witness cohesive efforts and can relate their contribution to the big picture – they see the meaning of their work. Outlining the positive difference that their organizations make, and sharing success stories can boost employee confidence and self-esteem.
Thriving businesses understand that happy employees are their greatest asset. When employees feel engaged and fulfilled, it creates a ripple effect that boosts morale, satisfaction, and performance. This translates to increased efficiency, productivity, and ultimately, profitability.
Summing it up
Collaboration among like-minded and women’s groups can alleviate fears, bridge gaps, and enhance emotional intelligence. In companies, diverse groups working together unlock unique opportunities, expand horizons, and maximise engagement. When CSR and common passion groups unite, they not only foster personal engagement but also drive significant team impacts. A collaborative organization typically enjoys improved communication, streamlined processes, and robust learning opportunities, and is innovative, united, and engaged.