Supercharge the workplace

The work environment can be very stressful and employees often bear the brunt of the managers and bosses to perform. Employees often have to try and “play well” with others, which brings another dynamic to the workplace.

I am not sure if you have been following Billions on DStv, but let me fill you in as to where corporate environments need to move. Axe Capital, an investment firm, has a full-time performance coach, whose sole purpose is to help to get the best out of Axe’s employees. Each employee goes through some form of personal battle, and when they feel they need direction, they step in for a chat, and some new-found enlightenment. You might say this is only the movies, but since these traders are playing with billions of dollars, the stress and burn-out rate can be quite severe. Any off-day can lead to a very bad turnout for the business.

Another amazing place Axe has in the building is an electronic neutral meditation room where you can find Axe by sitting on a chair in a secure blue room to help gather his inner voice. The room is soundproof as well to help shut out all the distractions. Often as the day goes on there are a stream of environmental occurrences that push your mood, clarity and temper through the roof and when Axe finds himself in this space, he checks in for a time out.

What are South African companies doing to help employees cope and perform at their best, or are they treated as just another replaceable cog in the machine? I know of companies having yearly wellness days where people come out to do health assessments and perhaps a massage or two. I have heard of companies having employee wellness talks and hire comedians to bring a little joy to the office rat race. I even know of some companies offering gym space for employees to work out at a reduced fee. I feel though, that this space has got stale very quickly and has lost its sparkle for companies, and especially employees.

What can be done to shake up the market? What about companies investing in a recovery room for their employees? I have taken the concept to that of professional athletes. You can’t expect your team to keep pushing and training and working harder. They will burn out and will get injured. You need to make sure you have a recovery strategy so that they are kept in great shape.