What is Workplace Culture?
Workplace culture is unique to every organization, and can often simply be described as “the way things are done around here.” Your identity and culture is the unique way that your organization lives out its purpose and delivers on its brand promise to its customers. This culture will develop with or without your input. Without inputs and systems, culture will falter. With input, a system, and a strategy, culture can help you achieve your organization’s unique goals.
As an employer, can you easily describe your workplace culture? If not, that could be a sign of a bigger problem. A weak or non-existent culture is not neutral; it signifies a lack of direction and cohesion. A strong and clearly defined culture is critical to taking your business to the next level.
A strong and distinctive culture has countless benefits, including:
- Improved and more straightforward people management (leaders know which behaviours to encourage and celebrate within their teams).
- More effective hiring (candidates and hiring managers will have a better idea of cultural fit).
- Increased levels of employee engagement – which is also great for staff retention.
- And what’s more; the results also translate beyond employee well-being to business results. There is a flow to how employees interact with customers. It also helps keep employees focused on your organization’s mission and purpose.
In a survey conducted by MIT and Glassdoor, it was found that 85% of CEOs and CFOs believe that an unhealthy corporate culture leads to unethical behaviour. Fostering a POSITIVE working culture is essential to creating a productive, engaging, and fulfilling workplace environment. There are a multitude of studies that demonstrate that a positive work culture directly leads to better health for employees, reduces turnover, increases loyalty, and promotes better job performance. By implementing these strategies, organizations can foster a positive working culture that promotes productivity, engagement, and employee satisfaction.
Here are some strategies that can help create and maintain a positive working culture:
