Ways to Cultivate a Positive Workplace Culture
Workplace culture is the collective belief systems, experiences, values, and attitudes shared by individuals working for an organisation. Essentially, it’s the core and character of any company.
The management and organisational heads are responsible for creating a positive work culture, as they influence the direction of development in an office work environment.
A good work culture ensures better employee retention rates, a stress-free and motivated employee, better quality of work, increased productivity, and a collaborative work environment.
This, in turn, improves your company's reputation and makes it a desirable place of employment for aspiring candidates.
Studies by Deloitte have revealed that over 94% of employers and 88% of personnel believe a well-laid-out corporate culture is important to a business. So, how can you build such a good office culture? Read more to find out.
How to Create a Positive Culture in the Workplace:
- Define Your Culture
An office culture can develop on its own if an employer fails to clearly define it in the beginning. Setting thoughtful workplace standards is important for the development of a positive work culture. Getting opinions from your employees about the same can help build an inclusive, holistic work culture.
- Hire People That Fit
Creating a good office work environment starts with hiring people that are correct for the establishment. This goes beyond the skills written on a CV and delves into the candidate's values, attitudes, and behaviors. These beliefs should be in line with the company’s work culture. The candidate should also be a helpful and collaborative addition to the team.
- Plan Fun Productive Activities
Work environments don’t need to be all work and no play the entire time. As an employer, you should organise informal outings and fun activities for employees such as picnics, outdoor lunches, team-building exercises like soft skill activities, etc. They help boost morale and increase workplace camaraderie.
- Encourage Communication
To create a positive work culture, employees should be able to voice their opinions, talk about their problems, and socialise with their colleagues. This will foster a more comfortable and encouraging office culture.
The employees will feel safer when they know they can speak to you not just as their boss, but as an empathetic person. Having an ‘Open-Door Policy’ helps employees know you care about their well-being, and it will also help you get valuable insight for troubleshooting common issues.
- Applaud Accomplishments
Your employees should always feel appreciated and noticed. Even the smallest act of praise and recognition from your side as the employer will make them feel valued. This will cultivate a sense of pride in the work they do, and it will boost morale and productivity.
- Don’t Micromanage
Allow your employees to prove themselves when delegating tasks to them. Rather than micromanaging, let them work at their own pace and comfort level. This will prevent unnecessary stress to the employee and will make them more independent and confident in their skills. You can relinquish control and only check-in as a form of necessary oversight, and only in tasks that require your attention.
- Create an Inclusive Work Environment
Cultivate an inclusive, positive work culture, irrespective of race, colour, gender, financial background, sexual orientation, etc. Equal opportunity for growth and equal rewards should be the ideal setup, based solely on merit. Individual differences should be respected and celebrated, creating a unified workforce.
Clear use of language, inclusive signage, etc., can help to boost a gender-conscious, inclusive, and accepting office work environment where all employees feel comfortable and seen for who they are.
- Provide Opportunities for Growth
Always give your employees opportunities to learn by upskilling them. Create clear ways for upward mobility within the organisation. Promotions should be merit-based, based on performance and achieving goals.
This clear model of communication and growth will promote employee productivity and a good office culture. You can promote growth in the organisation by organising lunch-and-learns, mentorships, online and in-person training programs, personalised progress meetings, etc.
An encouraging management style and empathic leadership lead to the development of a positive work culture in an establishment. Effective behaviour and affirmative action make the employees get invested in the workplace, take pride in their work, and become willing to visualise their future with the company.
Rewarding accomplishments and encouraging upskilling will foster a work environment where the office culture is that of a family, with each member being as valued and important as the last. And who isn’t willing to work hard for their family?
