The Joy of Office Comradery: Why It’s SO Essential In A Professional Environment

As a young professional, I’ve experienced several types of leaders.  Some positively transformed my life while others left me feeling disheartened - at myself.

It comes as no surprise that the behavior of individual leaders impacts EVERYONE within the organization.  These people oversee the success of their business while correctly leading their employees.  If a leader treats an office as inferior, fails to understand their employees and barks orders, then the office will behave as though they are inferior.  If a leader knows all their employees on a personal level and knows what sparks and motivates them, then the office will turn into a high-spirited and thriving business. 

Office comradery, the sense of organizational cohesiveness, delivers a strong bond between leaders and their employees in that they all feel connected by common goals and successes.  They have a sense that everybody is in it together, therefore work as a unit rather than individuals to achieve their goals.  That’s why this idea of “togetherness” in a work environment is so essential.  How can you possibly expect to feel comfortable bouncing ideas off of someone when you don’t even feel comfortable asking them a question?  

While office comradery requires participation by both leader and employees, it must start with the individual leader.  To build a unified work environment, leaders can utilize the following tips: 

1. Encouraging Employees to Be Themselves - Valuing individualism is crucial for comradery in a work environment.  The beauty of individuality is that everyone brings their own experience and ideas, and helps the organization look at solving problems in a different light.
 2. Creating a Favorable Environment - Leaders have the responsibility to create an environment where employees truly enjoy coming to work each day.  A soothing environmental condition causes efficient worker productivity and increases job satisfaction.
 3. Openly Celebrating Mutual Successes- There is no need for elaborate events; they could be as simple as “Bagel Wednesdays” or a post-work Happy Hour.  The important thing is that it’s incorporated in company culture.  It also encourages colleagues to chat about things other than work. 

It’s important to know that creating a unified work environment cannot be achieved overnight.  However, incorporating these tips will not only create a prosperous work environment, but will initiate trust within their employees.

This guest blog post was written by Emily O'Connell.

Ways To Embrace Your Audience

Blogging is about interaction.  While it’s great to deliver fantastic content, or have a brilliant style of writing, it’s seemingly useless if you don’t have strong followers to communicate with.  The purpose of blogging is to convey information to your readers and encourage conversation.  It is imperative, then, as a blogger, to make those who interact with you a part of your community.

Getting readers to engage with your blog seems easy, right?  Well, it can be.  There are several tips suggested toward effectively embracing your audience.  I thought it would be fun to explore a few. 

1. Encourage Comments and Forums

While it may seem “Blogging 101”, comments and forums are the simplest means of obtaining audience participation.  You have to get your audience talking, and encouraging comments is the easiest way to do so.  For example, your entire post can be based on a question (i.e. “Why Do We Blog?”).  Questions lead readers to interpret their own opinions on what you have just written and will encourage them to form their own opinions.   Comments and forum space are a rudimentary principle that should be engraved in the minds of all bloggers.  

2.  An “Ask The Author” Box

Utilizing an ask box unites your audience with yourself as the writer.  If audience members need clarification on misleading information or want a comment answered, an ask box is the best go about doing this.  Readers can get their questions directly answered from you, which translates to more audience interaction as a communal effort. 

3.  Utilize Social Media

    Ah yes, but where would audience interaction be without good ole’ social media?  While it’s easy to get confused by all the various social media platforms available, as long as you focus on the “social” part of it all, you’ll do just fine.  If you receive emails, tweets, or comments from readers, ensure a response is granted.  Include a personal touch by utilizing RTs and replies , keyword being personal.  You want your readers to WANT to come back to your site.  As social media relationships grow stronger, your audience gets wider!

While you’re working on actively engaging your audience it’s also important not to lose sight of yourself and your vision as a blogger.  Don’t get too wrapped up in whoever you think your audience wants you to be.  Make sure you maintain true to your values.  That’s why they came to you in the first place. 

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Emily O'Connell.