Are your employees proud to be a part of your organization? Do they genuinely look forward to their time spent in the office? The answers to these questions could indicate the state of your company’s culture.
Research gathered by Deloitte found that 94% of executives and 88% of employees believe that a distinct corporate culture is important to a business’s success. In addition, they discovered a significant correlation between employees who claim to feel happy and valued at work and those who believe their company has a strong culture.
Other benefits for an organization would include an increased feeling of loyalty toward the company, boosts in morale and job satisfaction. CultureIQ found that employees’ overall ratings of their company’s qualities, including collaboration, environment and values, are rated 20% higher at companies that exhibit a well-established culture.
Establishing a positive environment could make the difference between a high-functioning, productive team and a disconnected, uninspired team.
Here are five ways you can develop a positive company culture within your organization.
- A thoughtful and supportive onboarding process. Start the new members of your team off on the right foot. First impressions will set the tone for the remainder of their time within your organization. Make sure that they feel welcomed and have all the tools and resources necessary to be properly introduced to your company and their own place within it.
- Seek feedback. To truly see where your company’s culture may need to improve, simply ask. If you want to ensure that your employees are fulfilled in their roles and content with the run of things, go to them directly. You can supply surveys or even questionnaires. If you want to make sure you get honest answers, assure your team it will be conducted anonymously. CultureIQ found that 86% of employees at companies with strong cultures felt that the senior leadership genuinely listened to their feedback. If you can make changes based on what your team expresses — no matter how small — they will see firsthand that their opinions are valued.
- Personal recognition and rewards. One of the best ways to encourage higher levels of productivity and quality of work is to respond with gratitude. Reward your team with special perks as a thank-you for their hard work. It can be as simple as a handwritten letter for exemplary completion of a project, or even a designated parking spot for a month to recognize consistent performance. If your employees feel appreciated, they will be encouraged to keep up the good work.
- Show them their meaning. Everyone desires a sense of purpose in their day-to-day life. Guide your team in seeing the core values and meaning of your organization. This is where your mission statement comes into play. Emphasize that every assignment and every project completed within the workday is with this goal in mind. Set clear objectives and expectations for your team to work toward.
- Encourage team bonding. A friendly dynamic among your team is a necessary component in a favorable company culture. Create designated times for the members of your team to interact and get to know each other. In order to successfully collaborate, a certain level of comfortability is key. Take the time to coordinate weekly potlucks or go out to lunch once a month. The times when the focus can shift off of work will allow for a team that’s in sync and effective.
Creating a positive culture is beneficial for everyone involved. Not only will your business thrive, but so will you and your entire team. All of your employees crave belonging. They want to play a part in an organization that they can feel grateful to be associated with.
As a leader, take the initiative to work toward a more inspiring work environment today. Create a company culture that you would be proud of.
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