8 Steps Towards A Winning Workplace Culture This Year

A positive workplace culture is centred around trust, respect and comradery, and there are many positive benefits, including high employee retention and productivity. 

As a leader, your actions, behaviours and energy directly influence your workplace culture and impact your team's response to stress, change, and challenges. Therefore, particularly earlier in the year, as staff return from leave, your example will set the tone for the year ahead.

Here are some key actions you can take to role model a purposeful and calm mindset for improving your workplace culture.  

1. Ease Into Your Work Routine—Lead by Example

As a leader, one of the best ways to ease your team back into the post-holiday work routine is by role-modelling a balanced and measured return yourself. If you immediately dive into a packed schedule of meetings, deadlines, and long hours, your team will feel pressured to follow suit.

Instead, take a moment to re-orient yourself before jumping into heavy workloads and calendars full of meetings. Prioritise the most essential tasks, but don't overload yourself. If your team sees you carefully managing your transition, they will be more likely to follow suit sustainably and productively.

Actionable Tip: Let your team know that you are intentionally taking time to plan for the week, month or quarter ahead. Sometimes, slowing down to go faster is the best approach.

2. Prioritise Your Well-being and Encourage it in Others

Your well-being is a priority because it affects your team’s energy and productivity. When you return to work after the holidays, show that self-care remains important by maintaining healthy habits such as getting enough rest, staying hydrated, and (although easier said than done) taking breaks during the workday.

Taking care of yourself allows you to approach work clearly and calmly. It also sends a message to your team that taking care of their mental and physical health is okay and that they won’t be penalised for prioritising well-being.

Actionable Tip: Role model self-care by taking breaks during the day (or even just eating lunch away from your desk!), leaving the office/ logging off on time, and openly discussing your commitment to your health and well-being. Encourage your team to have ‘brain breaks’, get some Vitamin D, and share about their well-being or health goals.

3. Set Clear Intentions and Share Them With Your Team

A calm, intentional approach to the new year can help prevent the anxiety that comes with overwhelming expectations. Before returning to work, you may have taken time to reflect on your goals for the upcoming year and set clear intentions for yourself. Whether these are related to professional growth, business goals, or personal well-being, being clear about your focus will help you achieve your goals. 

When you’re back in the swing of work, share these intentions with your team. This transparency helps align everyone’s focus and shows that you, too, are trying to balance productivity and well-being. 

Actionable Tip: Share your personal and professional intentions for the year ahead. Invite your team to do the same or encourage them to set their own intentions for the year. This fosters a collective sense of purpose and shared accountability.

4. Practice Mindfulness and Encourage Calm During Busy Times

Mindfulness isn’t just a personal tool—it’s a leadership strategy. As the leader, if your team witness you practising daily mindfulness, they will feel the positive impacts. Whether pausing for a deep breath before meetings (three deep breaths work a charm!) or using a moment of silence at the beginning of the day, these small practices can help set a calm tone for the entire office.

Leaders who embrace mindfulness in the workplace are more likely to remain composed and focused when faced with challenges. This calm energy will naturally flow to your team, who will take cues from your demeanour.

Actionable Tip: Consider starting team meetings with a brief mindfulness exercise, such as a minute of focused breathing. Encourage team members to take five-minute breaks throughout the day to reset and refocus, leading to a more productive and peaceful atmosphere.

5. Set Realistic Expectations and Communicate Boundaries

It's crucial to set and communicate realistic expectations for yourself and your entire team. Avoid the temptation to pile on projects or push for fast results right away. Ensure any expectations are achievable and realistic. You'll be helping your team feel supported rather than overwhelmed. This is especially important if your workplace tends to have a culture of "hustle" or constant busyness. 

Actionable Tip: When communicating with your team, be transparent about your priorities and expectations. Have conversations with them so that they understand and 'buy into' the timelines. Encourage them to feel comfortable raising concerns about meeting your expectations so you can work towards mutually agreed adjustments.

6. Model Work-Life Balance and Respect for Downtime

As a leader, it's essential to demonstrate that work doesn't have to be a constant source of stress or pressure. After a restful holiday, you may feel renewed energy—but that doesn't mean you should overextend yourself or work yourself back into the ground. Role modelling a healthy work-life balance is one of the most powerful ways to create a healthy and productive atmosphere in the workplace.

Be mindful of your work habits—take time off when needed, leave the office at a reasonable hour, and encourage your team to do the same. Doing so clearly conveys that time for rest and family is equally important as time at work.

Actionable Tip: Share your plans for work-life balance with your team. For example, let your team know if you are prioritising family time in the evenings or taking time off during the week for personal rejuvenation, as it encourages them to find balance in their own lives, reducing stress and fostering a healthier, more productive work environment.

7. Create a Calm and Inviting Environment

With employees starting to spend more time in the office, make the workspace inviting. The physical environment plays a huge role in how we feel and work. You can transform your workspace into a calm, inviting space that reflects the mindset you want to cultivate. Whether it’s through decluttering (who doesn’t love a good old office clean up?!), adding plants, or bringing in calming elements like natural light or music, the physical environment should foster focus and relaxation.

An organised and calming environment can have a ripple effect on your team. If your workspace feels chaotic, your team is more likely to mirror that stress. 

Actionable Tip: Take the time to organise your office space and make it a place that invites productivity and calm. Encourage team members to do the same and offer them to personalise their workspaces in ways that help them feel calm and focused.

8. Foster Open Communication and Active Listening

Starting the year after a break can stir up a mix of emotions, from excitement to apprehension. As a leader, fostering open communication is one of the best ways to ensure your team feels at ease. Create an environment where your team feels comfortable expressing their feelings about work and the year ahead.

So, listen actively, validate their emotions, and offer support where necessary. Showing empathy and understanding helps to reduce any concerns or anxiety and lets your team know they are valued.

Actionable Tip: Schedule one-on-one check-ins with your team to understand how they’re doing, what they enjoy, any challenges and how you can better support them.
 
As a leader, your ability to bring a peaceful and calm mindset to work for the new year doesn’t just benefit you—it can profoundly impact your entire team. By leading with intention, modelling well-being, fostering mindfulness, and setting realistic expectations, you set the stage for a workplace culture that values well-being and balance.

Lead with calm, and your team will follow.

If you want to have a chat about your HR goals or challenges, book a call with Amanda to explore how Evans Faull can support you and your business.