The Importance of Positive Reinforcement in the Workplace

As an employer, you must deal with your workers' behaviour daily. So, if you're wondering what kind of reinforcement folks respond to best, listen to dozens of behavioural experts who advise that creating a happy workplace that encourages positive reinforcement is crucial to your success as a boss.

What makes a positive workplace positive?

A workplace should have certain features for positive reinforcement to thrive. Positive workplaces include ones that:

• Managers communicate frequently and voluntarily with their employees, keeping them updated and providing feedback. 

• In both speech and deed, the organisation fosters honest and ethical behaviour. 

• Employees understand the organisation's objectives and goals and how they contribute to them. 

• Employees consider their workload to be manageable and are content with their work-life balance. 

• Employees have the tools and resources required to excel in their roles.

• Employees are managed consistently and fairly. 

• Employees understand that the organisation does not accept disrespect, harassment, and other negative human behaviours. 

• Employees who pose a "problem" are dealt with quickly and appropriately.

• Employees can gain new skills and career advancement through continuous training and development programmes. 

• Collaboration is encouraged. 

• Employees feel needed and respected, and their efforts are often recognised. 

• Achievements are celebrated. 

• Reasonable demands, such as a modified work schedule, and work-from-home arrangement, are met to retain and satisfy staff.

• Employee morale is high enough to be felt by others, particularly customers.

The purpose of positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement in the workplace should accomplish two main objectives:

• Recognising the employee's conduct or behaviour and persuading them to repeat it.

• Depending on the reinforcement occurring as quickly as possible following the initial action or behaviour. Time is critical, and a delay in reaction makes it less likely that the employee will repeat the desired action or behaviour. The delay will only cause ambiguity or confusion for them. For instance, if an employee is worried about why their manager has stayed silent about a large, closed sale, they are unlikely to rush and close another large deal.

The four forms of positive reinforcement

• Natural reinforcers work just as they sound; they occur in response to an activity or behaviour. In a major sale, the employee would benefit from the existing commission plan. Commission plans are intended to serve as incentives, and they do so for sales professionals in particular.

• Token reinforcers serve as small-scale rewards. However, size does not necessarily matter to an employee. According to studies, a congratulatory memo displayed on the workplace bulletin board or an announcement written in an online newsletter might gratify an employee more than money.

• Verbal expressions of approval are used as social reinforcers. "Excellent work today!" can be just as significant to employees as token reinforcers, if not more so, mainly if other people can hear them.

• Tangible reinforcers are typically those that an employee may hold in their hand after getting them from an appreciative employer. Although cash and presents are frequent sources of tangible reinforcers, the greatest tangible reinforcers are those that workers most desire and savvy managers take the time to discover what they are. Promotions and salary increases are examples of tangible reinforcers. In this situation, the reinforcer serves two functions: positive reinforcement for the individual and an incentive for other employees.

How employers can exude a positive presence in the workplace

Even if you don't have the most enthusiastic or lively personality, you may help establish a healthy environment where reinforcers can thrive by:

• Setting a positive tone. Employees closely observe and listen to their boss and will likely mimic the boss' instructions. It is not always simple to model positive behaviour, and employees do not expect perfection, but they do demand consistency. A manager who constantly portrays situations and persons in good light will likely inspire workers to do the same. You may do more than just raise the bar; you can also spread a positive "contagion" in the workplace.

• Encourage employees to communicate with you. It may seem clichéd to encourage an open-door policy, but you can show that you mean it by making sure the doors are open both ways, to your office and theirs.

• Be an advocate for your staff when they need it. Being a resource to all workers and a mentor to the young ones can set off a self-reinforcing loop that encourages them to do the same for others when they are in a position to do so. Strengthening workplace ties is a definite approach to building a good workplace and developing employee relationships. According to a workplace study, people who form social relationships stay on the job longer and are more productive while they're there.

Positive reinforcement tips for employers

• Be detailed in your appreciation, so the employee knows exactly what they accomplished to earn your respect.

• Be genuine and truthful, and let your personality influence your reinforcement choice. Make silly greeting cards your signature enforcer if you like them. Better yet, start making your own positive reinforcement sessions using a poster board.

• Aim for a certain amount of spontaneity to keep your office exciting. You don't necessarily need to schedule a necessary staff meeting or organise a lavish after-work social hour to provide positive reinforcement.

• Learn to highlight even minor successes and victories. Show your staff how simple but effective actions may have a domino effect in the workplace.

Nobody ever suggested that positive reinforcement at work is a definite thing. However, you may be encouraged to know that it is a gamble made by several famous entrepreneurs, including Richard Branson, who said: "Criticism can be devastating to an employee". 

He prefers to praise his employees for what they're doing right, which always leads them to do more of the same.

Source: Chron