20 Mar 2026
Building happier workplaces through communication
Splash project manager Kenny Turk believes the best way to build happier workplaces is through communication and human connection.
Kenny joined Splash Projects in 2022 and helps deliver projects around the world. These projects help organisations strengthen teams while creating meaningful impact for communities.
Before joining the team, Kenny spent 24 years in the Royal Engineers. He trained as a plant operator mechanic and served with the Airborne Forces as a Parachute Engineer. His career included construction projects across the world, as well as humanitarian and operational roles.
After leaving the Army as a Warrant Officer in 2005, he moved into project management roles internationally. He later moved to Spain in 2019.
Kenny has worked with global teams, charities and communities. He has seen first-hand how the right environment transforms how people feel at work. It also improves how they perform together and contribute to workplace happiness.
Why feeling safe at work matters
For Kenny, happiness at work begins with creating an environment where people feel safe, supported and confident to contribute.
“If people feel safe at work, both physically and psychologically, they are not scared to make a mistake. When people feel comfortable releasing that pressure, it is good for their wellbeing and it creates a creative, productive team.”
Removing uncertainty builds confidence
Kenny says one way to create this environment is by removing uncertainty and helping people feel confident about the task ahead.
“That sense of safety often begins with clear communication,” he explains. “Uncertainty can be one of the biggest barriers to happiness in a team environment, particularly when people are asked to take on tasks that feel unfamiliar or outside their strengths.”
Splash designs its projects to challenge participants with unfamiliar tasks. The key is helping teams feel confident enough to embrace them.
“Participants often arrive not knowing what they are going to be building or doing,” Kenny says. “But once you explain the project and remove that uncertainty, it makes all the difference.”
He recalls a recent project in Melbourne where preparation helped build excitement before the team even arrived on site.
“We held an introduction briefing online before the project so everyone understood what they were going to be doing,” he says.
“When they realised what they were going to build, they could not believe it. The excitement really started to grow from that moment.”
“By day two, everyone could not wait to get started. Communication really is key to people being happy at work.”
The importance of human connection at work
Another factor Kenny believes plays a major role in strong teams is genuine human connection.
In a more digital world, he says face-to-face communication still plays a vital role in building trust and understanding.
“You can hide behind an email or a notice board, but when you speak to someone directly it opens the door for questions and real responses,” he explains.
Understanding individuals is equally important when building strong teams.
“Getting to know people matters. If someone is struggling, you want to recognise that rather than placing more pressure on them. When you understand your team, their strengths, their capabilities and even what is going on outside work, you can help people come out of their shell and succeed.”
Small moments that make a big impact
For Kenny, the moments that stay with him most during projects are often the small acts of kindness between people.
During a recent project, the charity joined corporate participants during the build.
“When teams integrate beneficiaries into the project, it is priceless,” he says. “They feel like they belong and the team takes ownership of making them part of the group.”
He also remembers a moment during a project in Spain when students from the charity wanted to practise their English at lunchtime.
“We held back so they could speak and test their English. They were so happy to practise and connect with the participants from the business school. Those moments stay with you.”
Creating happier workplaces
On International Day of Happiness, Kenny shares simple but powerful advice. Create a safe environment, set realistic goals with a clear purpose, communicate openly, recognise individuals and help people develop their strengths.
As Kenny puts it, when organisations create the right environment, happiness tends to follow naturally.
“If you can provide safety at work, both physical and psychological, you are already on to a winner.”
