Company culture revolves around the shared purpose, values, and expectations among individuals working within the organization. It nurtures talent and unifies employees and executives under a common vision. The size of a business has minimal significance when it comes to the effectiveness of its culture. Even if you run a small, sole proprietorship business, the culture you establish will significantly impact its success.
Since the foundation of a business’s culture is based on its specific purpose, values, and norms, each business develops a unique culture tailored to its needs and identity. A thriving culture within an organization fosters an environment of trust and collaboration.
GUIDELINES FOR BUILDING A THRIVING CULTURE:
- Understand Employee Preferences
A recent report highlighted that over 50% of employees feel that their company lacks a robust workplace culture. This disconnect can be addressed by company leaders directly asking employees about their values, desires in a company, and the changes they believe would inspire and empower them in the workplace.
2. Foster Empathy
Empathy is a crucial skill that benefits not only human society but also company culture. Demonstrating empathy in the workplace involves refraining from judgment, expecting and encouraging the best from people, and developing pro-social values within the company. A culture built on empathy has long-term sustainability.
3. Embrace Continuous Learning
For a company and its culture to be resilient, they must be built on a foundation of ongoing learning and experimentation. Leaders should seek diverse knowledge and perspectives, take an interest in all aspects of the company and industry, and understand how the different components need to evolve.
4. Redefine Employee Evaluations
Regular check-ins between company leadership and employees to facilitate growth, adjustments, and pursuit of challenging responsibilities are integral to any company’s fabric and culture. However, traditional employee evaluation formats may not effectively inspire employees or keep them engaged over time. To cultivate a thriving culture, less formal and more frequent meetings between leaders and team members should be encouraged.
5. Foster Mentorship Opportunities
In addition to reimagining the style and frequency of employee evaluations, companies should actively create mentorship opportunities. This approach strengthens the company’s culture and enhances its resilience. Newer employees benefit from accelerated learning with reduced frustration, existing employees can explore cross-training, and the company ensures the retention of skill mastery even as experienced employees depart.
6. Contribute to the World
Social responsibility and workers’ rights are currently significant issues. Customers expect more from companies in terms of cleaner supply chains, fair working conditions, community involvement, inclusivity, and active participation in social issues. By prioritizing these aspects, companies demonstrate long-term viability and success.
7. Foster Open Communication
Mutual understanding is vital in any human endeavor, including company culture. Open communication entails the frequency and transparency with which information about the company’s state is shared with employees. It also requires selecting leaders and representatives within the organization based on their candor, clarity, willingness to listen, and other “soft skills,” in addition to their industry expertise.
8. Encourage Departmental Values
Most companies comprise multiple departments, each representing a distinct cultural microcosm with its own unique missions and values. It is essential to allocate time for departments and teams to establish and regularly revisit their set of values. This practice makes the purpose behind their work more tangible and increases the sustainability of their culture over time.
9. Trust Your Employees
While many say that trust must start somewhere, few truly embody this principle. The strength and longevity of a company, as well as its culture, heavily rely on the organization’s willingness to trust employees at all levels. People want to excel in their work and make independent decisions about how they do it. Regularly providing time and opportunities for employees to explore new ideas, even if they don’t pan out as expected, is an investment that yields dividends.
10. Celebrate Achievements
Adopting a productivity-focused mentality at any cost is detrimental to everyone involved. Companies often fixate on aspects that don’t align perfectly with their plans. However, it is crucial to celebrate triumphs, milestones, and the individuals responsible for them. Finding creative ways to recognize outstanding performance and acknowledging collective accomplishments with celebrations and time away from workstations can boost morale and reinforce a positive culture.
Developing a culture that thrives for a short period is relatively easy. However, creating a lasting culture that builds upon its successes requires more effort, but the rewards are immeasurable.
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