(2 minute read)
In an ideal situation, an organisation should be like a family, not like the tired cliché that enterprises use to promote their office culture, but in the way that parents pass on skills, life lessons, and successes to their children. (Australian Institute of Management, 2020)
Spend a moment reflecting on a workplace where you enjoyed and appreciated being a part of it.
What were the elements or factors which created such positive memories? Was it the people, the atmosphere, the inclusions (perks) or the shared vision and purpose? Or, like so many destination workplaces, was it a number of these combined, plus a few less-tangible elements included?
Company culture is an integral part of business. It affects nearly every aspect of a company. From recruiting top talent to improving worker satisfaction, it’s the backbone of a happy workforce. Without a positive corporate culture, many workers will struggle to find the real value in their work, and this leads to a variety of negative consequences for a team or business.
According to research by Deloitte, 94% of executives and 88% of employees believe a distinct corporate culture is important to a business’ success. Deloitte’s survey also found that there is a strong correlation between employees who claim to feel happy and valued at work and those who say their company has a strong culture.
How to build and reinforce great corporate and team culture
- Define and clarify key values. People want to know they are part of something meaningful.
- Create and build Psychological Safety. Team members want to feel safe to express concerns, make suggestions, report problems or to take risks.
- Be Authentic and Transparent. Corporate values, mottos and logos are nice on the wall, but they must be seen on the floor.
- Inspect what you Expect. Recognise and acknowledge individuals who are aligning their efforts with corporate values and goals. By the same token, call out actions or behaviours that could erode the values you’ve established.
Regardless of our role within the organisation, we each have an integral part to play in the establishment or reinforcement of the company or team culture.
On everyone’s first day I ask them a question; “Tell me what you expect from me in order for us to be a great employer for you.” (Tony Van Eyk, Co-Founder, Cube Online)