Creating a Healthy Work Environment: Involvement

The title of my doctoral dissertation in Applied Management is “The Impact of Training in Transformational Leadership on the Productivity of a Dental Practice.” I wanted to see if implementing this type of leadership would lead to any change in revenue for a business. The research project showed that the hypothesis was true: when dentists participated in a course of training in transformational leadership and applied those skills to their practices, productivity increased in a statistically significant manner. This truism would transfer to any business or organization, I feel certain. It would also apply to the organization called “family” as well.

What is transformational leadership? Here is a definition from my dissertation: “Transformational leadership. A leadership style based on principles that stimulate the interest of employees to be creative and willing to change when desirable. The employees participate in sharing the vision of an ideal organization with the leaders. Employees in this situation accomplish a high level of achievement and maximize their potential. The employees are valued as individuals but are willing to look beyond themselves and work for the betterment of the organization (Bass, 1985).”

Transformational leadership leads to a harmonious workplace where both the employer and the employee can function in a productive and healthy environment. Increased involvement and participation by team members is evident in an environment where transformational leadership is incorporated. In this kind of healthy work environment, people come and stay. Therefore, turnover is reduced.

People in the workplace today want to be involved. They want to be respected. They want to have their creativity encouraged. They want to stretch and be challenged. In fact, a talented person will leave a workplace if they are not challenged. But most workplaces and leaders do not see the connection between taking care of people and being more productive and thus, more successful. The two go hand in hand.

Leaders/owners, ask yourselves what you are doing to involve the people on your team. Then ask yourself how you can do more. The time spent in involving people mentally, emotionally, and physically in your organization will come back to you multi-fold.

And, employees/team members, ask yourselves what you are doing to stretch, to grow, to bring more to the organization than is expected of you. Do everything that is expected of you and a little bit more and you will always have a job! And, in the end, be responsible for challenging yourself. You’ll be happier in the workplace, which translates to a happier life.

Work is a part of a fulfilled life. Be “on purpose” with your intention to be involved. Be more than you even dreamed possible.

Involvement: a key element in a healthy work environment.

References

Bass, B. (1985). Leadership and performance beyond expectation. New York, NY: The Free Press.

Jameson, C. (2010). The Impact of Training in Transformational Leadership on the Productivity of a Dental Practice. (dissertation). Walden University, Minneapolis, MN.