We’ve all heard stories of companies that are filled with happy employees who enjoy working together and are dedicated to doing everything possible to ensure success. The ability to create a positive work culture begins with creating a positive environment in your business.
It takes a lot of work to build a positive work culture. In fact, some say it’s even harder than getting employees to come to work every day. When it comes to building a positive culture in your workplace, the key is to ensure everyone understands where they’re going, why they’re going there, and how they can get there.
Every company has a work environment that is either positive or toxic. Although it takes a lot of time and energy to cultivating a good work culture, it is the best way to make your business appealing to potential employees and improve retention rates. With a lot of effort and dedication, you can transform any company culture from toxic to positive. Use these four steps to get started.
Weave Philanthropy Into Your Brand
Customers like to feel good about how they spend their money, and employees are more likely to stay long-term with a company that shares their values. Weaving philanthropy into your business brand is a great way to accommodate both preferences and improve positive work culture.
People are more likely to spend their hard-earned money on your products and services if you are giving a portion of your profits to a charitable organization or good cause. You can also make your employees feel like they are part of something bigger when you give back to your community.
Look at Kent J Thiry, for example. The entrepreneur turned a failing business into a thriving Fortune 500 company, thanks in part to his philanthropic efforts.
Hire the Right People
When it comes to finding the right candidates to work for your business, both personality and experience are important qualities to consider.
Employing someone with a great personality may be wonderful for morale, but if he or she has no experience in the industry and is not willing to learn, your company won’t be successful, which could affect your positive work culture.
Likewise, hiring people with plenty of experience but an abrasive personality may negatively impact team morale. Look for people who strike a balance between experience and a good personality.
Encourage Open Communication
Creating a positive company culture means making yourself available to hear concerns. Your employees should feel comfortable approaching you to discuss workplace problems.
Whether they are feuding with coworkers or have concerns over some of your business operations, they should be able to meet with you to discuss problems in a civil manner. It’s important to remember that your employees may alert you of problems that you aren’t aware of, so listening to their concerns validates their feelings and improves your business.
Work On Team Building
Your company flows most smoothly when all of your employees work together as a team. Although you may have many employees with nothing in common other than where they work at, it’s still important to find ways for your team members to connect and learn to work together efficiently.
Consider using team-building exercises to help your employees learn to depend on each others’ strengths and cultivate problem-solving skills. You don’t have to engage in the practice every month, but using them a few times a year is a great way to improve workplace morale. When employees feel like part of a team, they are more likely to do better work.
Cultivating a positive work culture where your employees can thrive takes time, but it helps you build a better company. Use these tips to foster an inclusive work environment.
