While “culture” is often tough to define, it’s easy to identify. From the heritages we carry with us to sports teams, volunteer groups and more, culture is all around us. When it comes to culture in the workplace, the concept has emerged as a pivotal determinant of organizational success.
Whether your team operates on-site or remotely, cultivating a positive workplace culture is non-negotiable in terms of bolstering productivity, fostering innovation and creativity, and, most importantly, keeping your people excited to come to work each day.
So, what is workplace culture, exactly? And what impact does it have on your business?
Workplace Culture 101
Workplace culture encompasses the shared values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that an organization adheres to. Whether you lead a small team or a vast organization, workplace culture reflects how your people interact, collaborate and align with the company’s mission. From communication norms and leadership styles to perspectives about work-life balance, every facet of organizational dynamics contributes to shaping its culture.
You can get a sense of a company’s workplace culture by interacting with its people. How do they treat one another? How do they carry themselves? What standards do they adhere to? The way an organization’s members act when no one’s watching — that’s workplace culture.
A positive workplace culture starts from the top down. Clearly defined values must be established and agreed upon by all stakeholders so they can hold one another accountable. The trickle-down effect is what ultimately becomes a company’s culture.
Why Does Workplace Culture Matter?
Having an established workplace culture is key to numerous areas of daily operations that ultimately tie to the success of the business.
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Employee Engagement: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: When your people enjoy working with you, beautiful things happen. Engaged employees are more productive, create higher quality work, foster creativity and innovation, and more.
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Retention and Recruitment: Companies with strong workplace cultures not only retain their employees — they also recruit top talent. A positive workplace culture builds a company’s reputation as one that people want to work for. In fact, a Glassdoor survey found that more than 77% of adults across four countries would consider a company’s culture before applying to work there.
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Client/Customer Satisfaction: A quality workplace culture that keeps your employees happy translates into better experiences for those you serve. Satisfied employees are more likely to go above and beyond to provide the right solutions — and be a joy to work with along the way.
5 Elements of a Positive Workplace Culture
When it comes to establishing the type of workplace culture you’d like to be part of, here’s a playbook of tactics to implement:
1. Define Your Core Values
Clearly articulate the core values that underpin your organization’s culture. Who are you and what do you stand for? These values should serve as a guidepost for decision-making and conduct for all employees. Tip: Encourage alignment with these values during recruitment, performance evaluations and day-to-day operations.
2. Foster Open Communication
Promote transparent and open communication channels throughout all avenues of your organization. Encourage feedback, both across the organization and from your customers, and create platforms for meaningful dialogue. Thoughtful conversations lead to greater employee engagement for both in-person and remote employees, a recent study found.
3. Lead by Example
Leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping workplace culture. If you don’t walk the walk, your people won’t, either. By living out the values you’ve established, leaders build credibility and trust and serve as role models for their teams. As the leader, when you set the standard, you inspire your people to emulate the same qualities.
4. Prioritize Work-Life Balance
Life happens. A workplace culture that offers flexible work arrangements, promotes mindfulness practices and encourages time off to recharge isn’t just good business practice; it’s expected. Recognize that a healthy work-life balance not only enhances productivity but also nurtures a happier and more resilient team.
5. Celebrate what Makes Your People Unique
We all come from unique backgrounds and have our own origin stories. A positive workplace culture should embrace the different identities of your people and be inclusive of their voices and ideas.
A Positive Workplace Culture is Good Business
Cultivating a positive workplace culture is imperative for the success of the people you lead, the people you serve and your organization as a whole. By prioritizing values and acting by them, you can create a thriving work environment where employees want to stay, and that talent wants to join. Creating your workplace culture is an ongoing commitment that requires adaptability and genuine investment in the well-being of your most valuable asset — your people.
Need help with where to start in establishing your workplace values? At Bestola, we’re here to consult on who you are, who you want to be and what that means for your bottom line. Reach out today.
