The Power of Workplace Authenticity

In today's dynamic work landscape, fostering an authentic culture of employee satisfaction and wellbeing is not just a buzzword; it's a strategic imperative. As the Head of People and Culture at the Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital Foundation and the Founder & CEO of Indigo Soul Wellness, I am passionate about creating positive impacts within organisations. Over the years, I've come to understand that engaged and satisfied employees are at the heart of any thriving institution.

One key strategy for achieving this is authenticity. Authenticity in leadership means being genuine, transparent, and true to our values. It starts at the top and cascades throughout the organisation.

Here are some successful measures I have taken to create an authentic culture:

1. Foster open communication: Encourage open and honest dialogue at all levels. Create safe spaces where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns.

2. Provide ongoing training and support: Invest in your people. Providing regular opportunities for your employees to learn and grow shows that you value them and equips them with new skills for their work and a greater sense of confidence to adopt the latest organisational systems.

3. Offer wellness programs: Invest in employee wellness programs that cater to both physical and mental health. A healthy workforce is a happy and productive one.

4. Encourage empowerment: Empower your employees to make decisions and take ownership of their work. This not only boosts morale but also enhances creativity and innovation.

5. Have genuine transparency: Share company goals, successes, and challenges openly. When your staff are convicted of the company’s mission and fully committed to sharing that mission, they don’t need as many rules to follow or time management advice. It's more obvious which decision to make and more clear what to prioritise. 

6. Promote work-life integration: Promote work-life integration by offering flexible work arrangements and recognising the importance of personal time.

7. Give recognition and appreciation: Acknowledge and appreciate your employees' contributions regularly. A simple 'thank you' can go a long way in boosting morale.

8. Understand your team’s natural strengths: Find out what they love to do and where they see their career going. Rigid role descriptions don’t work. Working with strengths is the ultimate flex for organisations. Employees are happier when they are doing what they are good at and they perform at a much higher level. 

9. Provide a fun culture: Your people will stay more engaged in their work and more loyal to their workplace if they enjoy coming to work.

By embracing authenticity and implementing these strategies, organisations can build a culture where employees are not just satisfied, but truly engaged. This not only leads to higher productivity and retention but also contributes to a positive impact on society as a whole. After all, it's the people within our organisations who have the power to drive change and make the world a better place.