Company culture plays a huge role in the success of any business. The general attitude and atmosphere between workers – enthusiastic or toxic, entrepreneurial or intense, or otherwise – affects many aspects of an organisation, from employee loyalty to recruitment.
A positive company culture means happier employees. Satisfied employees generally mean a more successful company. A positive culture ultimately boosts employee morale, engagement and performance. A great company culture that retains its good reputation, even among staff who have since moved on, will also make your company attractive to recruiters, which is essential for growth.
As a leader, it’s your job to build a thriving company culture. Many different steps go into this. Here are 5 key things you can do to create a great company culture.
Set goals for your company
Every organisation should have its own set of clear goals and objectives. When employees work together to realise a shared vision, they build a stronger company culture. Goal setting brings people together and provides a sense of purpose. Leaders should communicate with employees regularly to ensure everyone shares the same vision.
Each employee should have a clear understanding of their role, and how it contributes to the wider goals of the company. Your employees will feel motivated if they have something meaningful to strive towards.
Encourage social interaction
Strong workplace relationships are obviously a crucial component of a great company culture. Co-workers who connect a personal level, foster better collaboration and teamwork. Positive working relationships also make each day at work more enjoyable for employees.
Leaders should encourage social interaction through company-initiated activities. These could include movie or quiz nights, charity and volunteer programmes, breakfast clubs, cocktail appreciation nights, and other company events. Providing opportunities for co-workers to bond is essential for your company’s success.
Promote health & wellness
Employee wellbeing can contribute to the overall success of your company. If your employees don’t feel their best inside and out, it will affect their productivity. It’s up to leaders to promote health and wellness both within and beyond working hours. You can do this by providing employees with healthcare opportunities, tools and resources, such as gym memberships, fitness activities and stress-management activities. The steps you take will obviously depend on the size of your company.
Implementing a wellness programme will have numerous benefits for your company. Your office will have less stress, fewer sick days taken, and happier employees. Wellness programmes also helpcreate a supportive environment where employees lift each other up. Taking part in health and fitness activities is a fun way for people to bond.
Encourage open communication
It’s your role as a leader to encourage open communication. Employees should feel comfortable enough to express themselves at work. It’s important to keep the communication as consistent and clear as possible.
Make it very clear to your employees that you keep an open-door policy. They should feel welcome to come to you at any time. Schedule one-on-one time with each employee regularly. Listen to the needs of your employees with an open mind. Provide honest feedback and ask for some in return. These small steps will improve employee engagement and create stronger workplace relationships.
Set a positive example
The job of any great leader is to lead by example. If you want to create a positive company culture, you must set a positive example yourself. Even when situations get tough, it’s important to remain optimistic. Your role is to empower employees to stay motivated. You can do this by displaying confidence, passion and determination daily. Your behaviour at work will reflect the values of the company.
Author’s bio:
Based in Gisborne, the first city in the world to see the sun, Maia starts most of her days taking a stroll down the coast. To see more of Maia’s best work, check out her blog.
