“The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.” – Ken Blanchard

Sometimes, leaders in the workplace think that portraying overpowering authority will help get tasks accomplished faster and more efficiently.  In reality, leaders actually improve workplace morale and positivity by building up their employees.

 How to create a positive office environment 

Give credit where it is due

If you, as a workplace leader, are being praised for the great work your team has done, Entrepreneur.com describes how being modest and honest by sharing the credit with the team can help boost morale.  Workers love to hear when they are doing a good job and they will be more likely to continue working hard on future projects because they know their work will be valued.

Don’t play the blame game

At the same time, if something goes wrong in a project, taking accountability for part of the problem helps to earn respect and support from employees.  Playing the blame game only stirs up anger, resentment, and mistrust among employees.

Exude passion and confidence

To be a successful leader, you have to be both passionate and confident in your work.  If you are constantly worried, downtrodden, and negative about the work that you are doing, those emotions will radiate throughout the office.  Entrepreneur.com explains that successful leaders remain calm and collected, even in difficult times, in order to be a good role model.  This will help workers feel that their contributions are important, and that they can always look to you for support.

Build and empower

 By building a positive work environment, you are empowering your employees, which creates a ripple effect. Employees will support one another, as well as you and other leadership.  Below are a few tips on how to begin this ripple effect:

Create a safe space

Possessing authority in a work setting doesn’t mean you have to take control of everything and demand that certain tasks be done.  Instead, you can use the opportunity of being in a leadership position to create a safe space for your co-workers and employees to share their ideas as Forbes.com suggests.  Diversity in perspective leads to fresh and creative ideas that can propel a project forward in a brand new direction.

Lead and influence

Holding a position of power allows you to influence the workplace by focusing on everyone’s assets.  By truly getting to know each employee and what their individual strengths are, Forbes.com explains how you can challenge your workers to go one step further and support one another to collaborate and grow.  Your influence ensures that everyone continues to learn, including yourself.  Most people love work that inspires them, challenges them, and is meaningful to them.  You have the power to lead and influence in order to contribute to that.

All in all, a successful leader not only creates a positive work environment, but also creates positive workers by boosting morale. This encouragement disseminates throughout the workplace so that all employees are supporting your work as well as that of others.  The passion for projects will grow, new ideas will form, and the success of your business will expand.