Tag: work culture

Creating a Positive Work Culture

 

Creating a Positive Work Culture

When analyzing new job opportunities, we all have our own criteria of what constitutes a good fit — competitive compensation, must-have employee benefits, elements related to work-life balance and more.

One aspect many consider when contemplating a new position is less tangible: workplace culture. In fact, a recent Robert Half survey found that more than one-third of workers would pass on the perfect job if the culture wasn’t a good match for them. Similarly, over 90 percent of managers said a candidate’s fit with the organization is equal to or more important than their skills and experience.  We can learn from this from opga.work

So, what exactly is workplace culture? Why is it so important? We consulted a panel of management experts to find out more about creating a positive work culture. See if their insight can help you learn how to set your organization apart. 

The importance of establishing a positive workplace culture

“Whether you’ve got an innovative tech startup, a global Fortune 25 behemoth or something in between, a positive work culture can create a virtuous cycle for your business,” says Peter Dudley, author, fundraising executive and corporate responsibility expert. Upon creating a positive work culture, Dudley notes, employees are more likely to be engaged. They tend to have a sense that the company is doing something of value for customers, and they’ll feel empowered to make things better. 

So, what happens when employees feel good about the work they do? A recent study from LinkedIn and Imperativefound that when people feel connected to purpose at work, both their performance and their commitment to their employer increase. In fact, purpose-driven employees are more likely to experience the following:

  • Assume leadership roles
  • Feel satisfied at work
  • Stay with their current employer for longer 
  • Pursue professional growth opportunities

The impact company culture has on an organization’s bottom line goes even further. Evidence suggests that over-stressed, disengaged workers are more likely to get sick. In fact, health care expenditures at high-pressure companies are nearly 50 percent higher than those at other organizations. 

It’s clear that creating a positive work culture is important. What may seem less evident is when an organization should begin working toward that goal. 

“Some companies make the mistake of thinking it’s too soon or they are too small to think about the employee experience,” explains Jennifer McCusker, founder of McCusker Consulting and former vice president of global talent and organizational development for Blizzard Entertainment. “The reality is that culture-building starts from day one, and each new employee either enhances or detracts from that.”

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LEADERSHIP RESOURCES

As you analyze your own company culture, you’re likely wondering if your team has cultivated a positive or negative experience for your employees. If your company has difficulty attracting top talent or exhibits low employee morale, McCusker says these could be signs that your workplace culture needs improvement.

“I absolutely believe you can reverse a negative company culture — however it takes a lot of work, and likely some significant changes,” she adds. “It’s not a project, it’s a movement.” 

Creating a positive company culture: 4 Expert tips

McCusker explains that the key to creating a positive work culture is knowing that it cannot be reverse-engineered. What works for one company, she elaborates, can’t be authentically replicated elsewhere. This is because workplace culture is not something that’s owned. 

“It is the result of millions of little decisions over the lifetime of a company,” she says. “Because it’s organic, it will quickly change when left untended.” 

As you strive to cultivate and maintain a positive culture within your organization, consider the following four pieces of advice from our business experts. 

1. Identify your organization’s core values

While there’s no surefire recipe for achieving positivity within your work environment, every organization can benefit by analyzing a few key aspects of its identity. Sam Pardue, CEO and founder of window insert company Indow, highlights three cornerstones of a positive work culture: mission, vision and values. “They are simple, but hard to execute in a credible way,” he says, noting the following about each: 

  • Mission provides the intrinsic motivation which makes employees excited to accomplish great things at work.
  • Vision helps them understand the destiny they are helping to create.
  • Values are the ways everyone agrees to work together.

If you hope to build up an employee base that is passionate, engaged and productive, begin by identifying a foundational mission your workers will find exciting. 

2. Establish trust by representing those values

Culture coach and consultant Lizz Pellet notes that workplace culture travels from the top down. “Leaders create culture,” she says. “How members of a group take their culture cues is the way they see and perceive how the leader behaves — so what leaders focus on is critical.” 

Pellet explains that if an organization’s leadership team is employee-focused, empathetic and authentic, it will send a calming message to employees that their leaders are there for them. That can help keep help improve engagement, productivity and even profitability. 

McCusker agrees that cultural representation among leadership teams is crucial:

Having a positive culture means seeing leaders at all levels living the values out loud.

“It means having an employee experience that, at all touch points, is reflective of the company’s beliefs and values,” she adds.

3. Maintain clear and consistent expectations

One element most all of us need to achieve a sense of harmony is consistency. While teams across industries strive to achieve innovation in their product offerings, predictability is actually something many employees seek in a positive work culture. Pardue says it’s critical that your workers are able to fully grasp what’s expected of them. 

“Employees want to know what the rules are, and that they will be enforced equally and in a predictable way,” he offers. “Unpredictability in management actions causes contempt and distrust — and ultimately destroys the culture.”

McCusker agrees that maintaining expectations at every level is essential. “I once heard a CEO say that if you are not willing to fire your top performing employee over behavior that is inconsistent with the culture, then your culture is not very strong and you do not truly believe in it.”

4. Ensure your employees feel valued

Creating a positive work culture isn’t simply about workplace happy hours and catered Friday lunches, notes senior partner at Partners in Leadership Jared Jones. “Real culture is rooted in an employee’s daily experiences, which in turn shape their beliefs,” he says. “These beliefs inform their actions, and actions lead to results.” 

One survey from the American Psychological Association (APA) found that over 90 percent of employees who feel valued at work say they’re more motivated to do their best. That drops to just 33 percent among employees who don’t feel valued by their employers. 

“Companies led by executives who create positive experiences by consistently offering and asking for constructive feedback, recognizing employees’ efforts during company meetings and even just saying ‘thank you’ on a regular basis lay the groundwork for a positive workplace culture,” Jones explains. He adds that the more employees see this type of behavior, the more valued and connected to the organization’s goals they’ll feel. 

Build a positive workplace culture

Investing in your organization’s wellbeing calls for an honest assessment of your company ethos. Take time to analyze what’s working and what isn’t. Then, let the insight from our business experts guide you in creating a positive work culture that can support your organization’s future success.

Once you lay a good foundation, it might feel like the sky’s the limit. You can learn to harness that energy and funnel it into positive results from the beginning by setting goals that are both challenging and attainable. Learn more by reading our article, “How to measure organizational performance: The secret to effective goal setting.”

Work culture

work culture is defined as the attitudes and behaviors of employees in an organization. Many things affect corporate culture, from work environment (ok, so ping-pong table doesn’t matter), policies, leadership, goals, values ​​and mission. A positive work culture doesn’t just happen. Careful thought and cultivation is required. If you haven’t thought about your organizational culture, chances are it’s not the place to be. This can mean big consequences. Employees who are physically and mentally stressed aren’t just less engaged. They are also more likely to call for unemployment and eventually leave the company, leading to sky-high turnover and turnover rates. This can be costly for organizations. Organizations with a positive work environment have more productive and loyal employees. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to improve the employee experience. Promoting diversity, transparency and understanding can do wonders for a business. In addition, visible and accessible leaders will inspire employees and update management on day-to-day issues. This means more employee retention, reduced absenteeism, and most importantly, happier, healthier employees.

IMPORTANCE OF WORK CULTURE

Culture is a complex concept that is constantly evolving in the workplace based on many factors. While some people prefer a more traditional work culture and others want something more modern and fun, all healthy work cultures have a lot in common. Look for the following signs of a thriving work culture when reviewing potential employers: Equity, Expression, Communication, Recognition and accountability.

When everyone working in a company is held accountable for their behavior, it indicates a healthy work environment. A balanced workplace allows everyone to feel comfortable enough to acknowledge their ideas and mistakes. Open accountability allows every employee to learn from challenges instead of avoiding them.

Accountability fosters a work culture based on teamwork, open communication, reliability and accountability.

Equity Companies that treat all their employees equally often have a healthy work culture. Every position in the organization counts, and giving everyone a chance boosts employee morale. Workplace bias is a sign of a toxic work culture and can cause feelings of distrust and resentment among colleagues, making a fair work environment essential for employees. any positive work culture.

Expressions People are generally happier, more productive and more focused when they feel able to express themselves at work. If employees have some freedom in their personal style and how they decorate their workspace, it shows a comfortable level of work culture.

Communication Open communication is essential for a productive work environment. Everyone in the organization needs to understand how to give and receive feedback, share ideas, collaborate, and solve problems. All teams have occasional interpersonal conflicts, but a functional work culture will allow them to solve problems and work as a team despite any challenge. Avoid organizations with a work culture where people feel unable to voice conflicts or concerns as there won’t be much room for growth.

Recognition A developed work culture recognizes employee successes and rewards people when they succeed. In a healthy work environment, management will find the positive characteristics of all team members and encourage the use of their talents. Employee recognition, from frequent verbal praise to competitive salaries, can create an office culture of mutual appreciation and respect.

The importance of a positive work culture

People need healthy environments to thrive, and this is especially true in the workplace. The attitudes and behaviors you interact with on a daily basis affect how you feel both at work and at home. The evolving work culture affects every aspect of the company and its people. Here are reasons why a healthy workplace culture is important: Better hiring choices Employee happiness Employee retention Performance quality Reputation

Better recruiting options Managers in an organization with a successful work culture know how to attract and select new employees who share their vision. We will likely be attracted to companies that share our values ​​and the type of culture in which we feel comfortable. A healthy work culture has like-minded professionals who are compatible with each other and work together towards common goals.

Happy Employees Your satisfaction with your workplace culture has a direct impact on your happiness in the workplace. A thriving work culture helps people find meaning and pride in their work, while a toxic work culture can make even the most passionate employee unhappy at work. One of the most important parts of a strong work culture is a balance between career and personal lives, and companies can help keep their employees happy by respecting their lives in general. Employee retention A good work culture provides stability to talented employees and allows them to grow within the company, rather than limiting them to a specific role or level of achievement. Happy employees often want to stay in their jobs, which makes workplace culture key to reducing employee turnover and connecting qualified candidates to long-term careers. .

Quality Performance Employees who like to come to work because of a positive culture are generally more productive and create high-quality work. The work atmosphere is a great motivator that encourages people to invest in their work, especially since successful work environments recognize and celebrate hard work and success. Reputation Having a healthy work culture creates a positive reputation and credibility for a company and the people who work there.

A pleasant work environment is an important asset in attracting talent. Companies with a mission to raise morale, empower their employees, and build positive community relationships through them.