Workplace culture is the environment in which you work, including the values your company possesses, the attitudes of its employees, and the methods they adopt. In essence, it is the character of your organization. To us, defining your company culture is equally as important as defining your business strategy.The first step in creating your ideal culture is to decide what workplace environment you want to cultivate. Allowing the culture to develop by itself will inevitably steer you off course, so you must be upfront about your expectations from the start.
To understand the importance of a positive workplace culture, take a look at the benefits:
Everyone wants to work for a great company, with great people, and even greater values. When you combine these factors, you’ll attract the best kind of talent. Talented, hard-working people tend to be more selective with their employment opportunities — as they should — so cultivating a positive environment is key ensuring they consider your company over your competition.
If your organization has a high turnover rate, it may be time to ask why people are coming and going so frequently. After all, not only will a high turnover rate impact your company morale, but also your bottom line. A study done by the Center for American Progress stated that replacing an employee can cost up to 20 percent of that person’s salary. For a C-level Executive, this could result in a significant hit to your budget.If people enjoy the culture at their place of work, they’re much more likely to stay, saving you the headache of finding a replacement while benefiting your budget.
In 2017 Gallup poll study, researchers found that cut-throat, high-pressure work environments cause employees to disengage. For many people, the stress of the job is overwhelming, resulting in more absenteeism and errors made. Having a positive, uplifting culture creates a sense of pride and loyalty surrounding the job, which encourages employees to do their best and be their best.
These tips will help you create a fulfilling environment for you and your employees.
As stated earlier, failure to clearly define your company’s attitudes and behaviors will lead to the culture developing naturally on it’s own. In order to cultivate the ideal work environment, set thoughtful standards and stick to them. Interview your employees to find out what they want most out of the workplace to give you some key ideas as well.
What’s listed out on a resume isn’t the only important thing to consider during the hiring process. Make sure you’re finding people that represent your values and will be able to work well with others. People’s attitudes at work are contagious, and negative attitudes will spread if given the opportunity to do so.
When employees are able to socialize with their coworkers, voice their opinions, or talk about their problems, it fosters a more comfortable and encouraging environment. If your employees can talk to you as not just their boss, but also as an empathetic human being, they will feel safer and happier in the workplace. An “Open Door Policy” is a helpful way to remind your employees you genuinely care about their feelings and feedback. Open conversation can also provide you with much-needed insight into the advantages and potential drawbacks within your company.
Sometimes, well-deserved recognition goes a long way. Take time to let your employees know you notice, appreciate, and value the work they do. Even the smallest act can give employees a sense of pride in themselves and their work. More often than not, this will boost productivity, too!
Let your employees work at their own pace and comfort level – within reason, of course. Don’t let them take advantage of leniency, but give them a chance to prove that they can handle the work being delegated to them. Micromanaging employers tend to cause unnecessary stress on their employees, which can hinder productivity and harm the culture in the office. Be mindful of tasks that need your attention, and learn when to loosen the reigns and let employees utilize the talent you hired them for in the first place.
Make an effort to add an element of fun to the workplace. Try planning a monthly luncheon out of office, or put your team-building skills to the test in an escape room. Team-oriented activities will bolster camaraderie and help cultivate a positive workplace culture.
Clean, creative office spaces have been known to reflect the kind of work you are producing. Cleanliness improves critical thinking in your employees, and a colorful space will inspire creativity. Plus, a sleek space will impress clients! Contrarily, bland office spaces can incite fatigue, boredom, and disengagement.
Something as simple as providing snacks, coffee, and water in the office can make a difference with your employees. By stocking the refrigerator, or bringing donuts every Friday, you can show your employees you care. This especially goes a long way with employees in the Millennial and Gen Z generations!
Mistakes are inevitable. When someone makes one, refrain from reacting harshly. Being calm and supportive when explaining what went wrong, rather than placing blame, will put more focus on how to prevent the same mistake in the future.
If you’d like more insight into how to cultivate a positive workplace culture, Kinsley Sarn Executive Search can help. Our Executive Assessment Services can help find the perfect candidate to add to your organization and maintain your culture. Because we are so dedicated to delivering you the best fit possible, we provide an extensive candidate assessment and analysis to vet each person being considered. But we don’t stop after hiring! We provide New Employee Transition Support as well to ensure the candidate chosen is properly trained and adjusted. We know how important your culture is to you, and we are committed to preserving it. Contact us to learn more, or download our free white paper, Don’t Stop at Hired! Transition Services are Critical For Candidate Success, to gain more insight into the ways transition services can benefit your company and its culture.
