Employee productivity is essential to building and maintaining a successful company. It may be hard to believe, but the average worker is said to only be productive 2 hours and 23 minutes out of an 8-hour workday. Employees are often distracted by unwork related items such as social media, news websites, chatting with colleagues, snacking, and even job searching.
Some companies are addressing this decline in productivity by decreasing the number of required weekly work hours. It has been demonstrated that working fewer hours increases efficiency.
But let’s be realistic, for most companies, a shortened workweek is out of the question. So here we have outlined how to create a workplace that inspires your employees, in turn, making them more productive.
Productive Employees Increase Profit
When employees are encouraged to tap into their creative side, they become more productive. When we approach engagement and creativity as a business strategy that is what drives results.
A 2017 Gallup poll found that highly engaged teams show a 17% increase in productivity and a 21% increase in profits.
Inspired employees are more productive.
When employees feel inspired and passionate about what they are doing, they put out higher quality work, they are more motivated to see projects through and turn in their best effort.
How do we make our employees inspired?
Companies who want employees to connect on a deeper level to their work, it is important to emphasize their “why.” Help employees understand why the company exists and how it creates a positive impact in the world. Individuals want to feel a sense of purpose, and there is nothing more rewarding than doing something that you are passionate about professionally.
Steps to Promoting Passionate and Creative Employees
Here are some ways to develop a breeding ground for creativity:
1. Encourage Collaboration
A great way to get ideas flowing is to implement team brainstorms. Not only does this 
encourage team building, but also it can be very fruitful as having an opportunity to bounce ideas off of coworkers can lead to great ideas.
2. Give Employees Recognition
Be sure to always recognize employees for hard work and success. Employees want to feel valued and appreciated. People are more likely to put their best foot forward if their work is acknowledged. Fewer people are interested in putting sweat and tears into a project they do not feel will be acknowledged.
3. Promote Positivity
If employees feel there is a chance their ideas will be ridiculed, they are unlikely to share
. Employees should always feel comfortable communicating and sharing ideas. It is important to always give constructive feedback and to turn negatives into positives when possible. Showing empathy is a great way to make employees feel safe and heard.
4. Allow for Breaks
Sometimes individuals need to step away from their desks and stop and smell the roses for inspiration to hit. Employees should be encouraged to take breaks throughout the day. Also, have scheduled breaks and activities that employees can look forward to. From Team Happy Hour to Team Challenges!
Creative Advice from World Famous Creatives
When looking to drive office creativity, and ultimately productivity, we can turn to experts who work in extremely creative fields for advice. One field where the ability to be creative is crucial is architecture. These world-famous architects offer creative advice that all professionals can learn from:
“Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
Takeaway: Take pride in the work you are doing no matter what it is.
“There are 360 degrees, so why stick to one?” 
– Zaha Hadid – Heydar Aliyev Center, Azerbaijan
Takeaway: There are many different ways to approach the same problem. Be open to trying a few.
“The desire to reach for the sky runs very deep in the human psyche.” – Petronas Towers, Malaysia
Takeaway: Don’t deny ambition, and always feel striving for greatness.
“The difference between good and bad architecture is the time you spend on it.” – David Chipperfield, Neues Museum, Germany
Takeaway: Don’t be afraid to put in the extra hours occasionally or ask for a deadline to be extended.
“I took a risk in the design, but it fell into place.” – Sharon Davis, Women’s Opportunity Center, Rwanda
Takeaway: If you don’t ever take risks you will never reap the potential rewards of doing so.
Cultivating a creative workspace is a great way to boost productivity. Encouraging employees to tap into their creative side can lead them to feel more inspired and connected to the work they are doing. Inspired employees tend to be happier and ultimately more productive, which is a win for everyone.
About the Author:
Julia Morrissey is a writer and content creator for TurboTenant. When she isn’t covering creativity in the workplace, you can find her trying out a new vegan restaurant or hanging out with her rescue dog Maya.
Team Building & Creativity
Use team building to create an even more creative environment. With a multitude of different programs that cultivate productivity from team building – from The Big Picture to Impact Online and everything in between – each experience will leave your employees more productive and motivated. These experiences help cultivate greater bonds, which in turn will lead to growth.
