Employment Screening | Create a Distraction-Free Team Environment Pt. 2
Employment Screening | Oh, and don’t forget to get them headphones. Not because you want them to enjoy music during working hours, but because you want them to stay immune to the distractions around them. If they share an office and they don’t need to talk to each other for the sake of work all the time, then this trick will keep them focused on their individual tasks. When someone has headphones on, people are far less likely to speak to them.
3. Take drastic measures: disconnect the Internet when they don’t need it
You shouldn’t do this every day because preventing Internet access will only frustrate your workers. However, if you notice they are spending way too much time watching cat videos on YouTube, you should take drastic measures.
If they don’t need the Internet during work time, you can disconnect it for at least 5 hours. Or, you can prevent access to distracting websites – that’s a nice trick to pull if they need the connection to work.
4. Organize a clean up
A messy desk is the worst possible distraction you could think of. You know that the way to clearing the mind starts by clearing the space around you. You can’t convince your people to do that because they are already tired from the work. However, when you turn that into a fun activity, they will be eager to do it.
Take a look at your schedule: is there space for a day off work? Tell your team you’ll do a big office cleaning and everyone will be in charge for their own space. Get them fun t-shirts and cleaning tools, and make sure to join the fun. After the big day, take them to a nice lunch. Keep them motivated to maintain the order they just set. You’ll notice the positive energy when everyone shows up to work the next morning.
5. Plan each project to the tiniest detail
When you and your team start working on a project, all activities should be coherent. They should all have individual plans for the tasks they are in charge of. However, all those schedules should be created according to one, greater plan. You’re in charge of that part.
Do you have a whiteboard in the office? If you do, then use it to present a fun, colorful calendar. When they look at the progressive tasks every day, the main goal will seem achievable and they will stay focused when working towards it.
The main thing you need to remember that it’s okay if your workers get distracted from time to time. You cannot spend your day yelling at them to do their jobs if you notice someone’s telling jokes. Accept their human nature and turn it to your advantage. Stay a flexible and fun leader, and you’ll inspire them to do a better job to make you proud of them.