A SMILE A DAY - BY JUDY RAJOO
Staff is a company’s most valuable asset. Something I once read comes to mind: every person is fighting some kind of inner battle. When we face each other every morning as colleagues we have no idea what demons we have had to fight the night before. Every individual brings to the mix their unique personality and this adds to the cultural diversity of a company.
Technology in all its advancement still cannot replace the human element which is the core and lifeblood of a businesses success.
Genuine sincerity and compassion for others are the building blocks for co-existence, not exclusively in our personal relationships but vital for our work relationships. 60% of our working lives is time spent in an office environment; it makes sense then to cultivate affable work relationships and harmonious work spaces.
In our multiplicity there is a universal language that we can all strive for and that is respect. Too often ‘like’ is confused with ‘respect’. It’s a given that there will be discord amongst colleagues and let’s not forget the exasperating 'clever clogs' - every office has one and the stance to adopt then will be one of respect. We do not have to like each other however we can choose to respect each other. The dynamics in an office environment demands for respect toward each other for harmony to exist.
Madiba’s profound words “In judging our progress as individuals we tend to concentrate on external factors, such as one’s social position, influence and popularity, wealth and standard of education… It is perfectly understandable if many people exert themselves mainly to achieve all these. But internal factors may be even more crucial…Honesty, Sincerity, Simplicity, Humility, Pure Generosity, Absence of Vanity, readiness to serve others. Qualities which are within easy reach of every soul…”
Similarities noted on the surveys done on the top 100 companies to work for in South Africa all share a common objective.
HAPPY STAFF = MAXIMUM PRODUCTIVITY = SUCCESS
The intrinsic value in cultivating a stimulating office environment is priceless – after all staff are the ambassadors for your brand as soon as they step outside. The next time you pass the timid tea lady or a stressed out co-worker; endow them with a big beatific smile, it might be the turning point in an otherwise taxing day.
I am grateful that our tea lady is anything but timid – she has a voice like black coffee spiked with whiskey and we all look forward to her visits – not just for her fabulous refreshments but more for her infectious smile.