As a general rule, happy employees are more likely to stay with a company, take good care of customers, and go above and beyond. They work safe, are productive, invested, and are passionate about their work. “Happy” is just an easy five-letter way to describe employees who are inspired, positive, motivated and engaged.  Importantly, a happy work environment fosters happy employees. With care and hard work, we can create a workplace environment that supports employee happiness. And, it may not be as difficult as you think. Being a leader — someone who influences, motivates and encourages — rather than just a manager (someone who plans, organizes and assigns), building trust, as well as creating space for meaningful work and the ability to make a difference and contribute – are all ways to foster a happy work environment.

To create this type of environment, one of the first things we must do as leaders is pay attention. Show concern. Take the time to get to know your team: ask about holidays, families, interests, birthdays, vacations, anniversaries, etc. Get to know the people around you, and give them the opportunity to get to know you. You don’t have to reveal anything deeply personal, but you do have to be more than a title or a task master. Understandably, when there’s too much work to be done in too few hours, it can seem like taking time for personal interaction is wasted energy. However, knowing your team, their interests and stresses - both inside and outside the workplace - can be a powerful ally in helping creating a happy work environment. This is not the same as trying to be someone’s best friend at work, which can lead to blurred lines, resentment and allegations of favoritism. This will have the exact opposite effect. Interest equals caring, and feeling cared for is an easy path to workplace happiness.

This will take time and effort, as well as some investment. To create a culture of happiness, we all need to follow these six steps:

1. Have a clear vision - Understand the company’s larger goal, and articulate this vision to your team. Have a common sense of purpose. Make it clear that a job at Saia is so much more than a paycheck.
2. Recognize people publicly - Praise in public, correct in private. Praise people even when they make a mistake This may sound controversial, but you are not praising the mistake insofar as you are praising what they learned, how they adjusted, and the fact that they tried something new.
3. Tell your story - Share the struggles you faced, the challenges you overcame, and relate your history to everyone’s current challenges. Weave together your narrative so that it becomes a model for overcoming difficulties.
4. Get people to buy in - Ask people to define their own goals and tie them to the company’s goals as well as the bigger, overall picture. For instance, regardless of your job or title, we all support safety. Recruiters hire candidates with safe driving histories, benefits employees manage our wellness program to foster better health to increase overall well-being and safety, etc. We all have a part to play in the company’s success and we should all be invested.
5. Cross-train - Encourage your team to explore different tasks and skills to keep them sharp and avoid monotony. Work different muscles and avoid stagnation by allowing your team to stretch and grow in other areas, even those that may be significantly different from their day-to-day functions.
6. Allow for rest - Try to protect your team’s downtime. Everyone needs time with friends and family—time to live their lives outside of work. If you show no respect for their need to rest, you may be indicating a fundamental disregard for their welfare. Give your team the time to refresh.

In the same manner that we are inspired by people who are inspiring, we are happiest when those around us are happy - that is engaged, cared for, passionate, and positive. The way you conduct yourself and the way you treat people sets the tone for how they treat customers; and the environment you foster among your team, sets the stage for Saia’s success. Set the course for excellence and commit to creating a happier work environment for everyone.