Recognition, Renewal, Reflection: Empowering Our Employees from One Year to the Next

A business would be nothing without the efforts of its employees. At Cubic Transportation Systems (Cubic), a company focused intently on advances in technology and services, we recognize that our progress would be impossible without the vision, drive, and hard work of our 2,300+ employees.

As the Harvard Business Review (HBR) points out in an extensive piece on management, the benefits of a positive work environment span from greater loyalty and productivity to lower health care costs. Although companies around the world offer varied perks, such as office gyms and company chefs, HBR’s research shows that nothing stimulates engagement more than a healthy work environment.

Rolling ahead into 2017, I’m certain that our accomplishments at Cubic will depend now more than ever, on the dedicated work of our employees.

Here are just a few of the many ways through which we hope to build the right environment for our team members.

1. Empowering employees through recognition

Everyone knows that a job well done deserves to be recognized. But among the dozens of responsibilities entrusted to a manager, recognition, coaching and feedback can easily get lost behind the more pressing tasks of the day. It’s important to remember that recognition can take many forms and come from many sources. Just as employees should feel empowered by positive feedback delivered through the right medium, employees themselves should feel empowered to deliver compliments and words of encouragement when they've noticed the excellent work of a colleague.

2. Creating an atmosphere of renewal in our company culture

While any good company culture will share a number of characteristics, no two cultures should look alike. Our employees are not generic, and their myriad skills and personality traits should be reflected in a vibrant and inspiring work environment. One of my favorite events of our year was Diwali - the celebration of the Hindu New Year at the end of October. With the help of Manjari Mishra, throughout a day filled with music, color, dancing and cricket, we celebrated an important company ethos: “Unity in Diversity”, as well as the spirit of a rich and beautiful holiday, and most importantly, each other.

3. Keeping your mind fresh through regular reflection and relaxation

Any business working towards radical progress will require stretches of intense work from its employees. However, it’s equally important to balance those high-stress moments with periods of downtime and reflection. Taking stock of the decisions and efforts that have led to successes helps everyone stay fresh and focused on the next big task. In one Cubic office, employees are encouraged to make time for stress relief through the use of a sand station - calmly molding sand provides a simple opportunity for release and reflection. In another office, we offer classes on mindfulness and office-based massages to create a relaxing break in the day. Of course, there are few times more appropriate for reflection than the start of a New Year.

But as we've learned during our Diwali celebration, a New Year doesn't need to begin on the first of January. As we return from the holidays and look to 2017 with fresh ideas and renewed energy, what can we do to better reflect on and recognize each other's work for a healthier work environment?

Check out the post also on Matt's LinkedIn.