“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself,” said Henry Ford, the legendary American industrialist and founder of Ford Motor Company. Ford’s statement deeply conveys the significance of a positive, bonded culture –fundamentals of team spirit and a thriving work culture.
Work culture encompasses the values, beliefs and attitudes that guide an organization. It simply does not mean the physical establishment. We spend the bigger chunk of our 24-hour cycle each day at work so the work culture impacts us whether we are working from home, away on a company tour or sitting inside our cubicle. It decides and guides employees on how they should interact and behave at the workplace while executing their duties and responsibilities. With people from diverse backgrounds, qualifications and efficiencies fulfilling the company’s common goal or mission, it is important to have a culture that builds community while seeking revenue.
On a midweek morning, do you find people stepping into the office with a spring in their step or dragging themselves to work? I for one love to walk into an office where am recognized, respected and listened to. The work culture of the organization is what draws employees or compels them to leave. A toxic work culture encompasses practices that negatively impact that culture and supports toxic team dynamics, further making it difficult to hire and retain good employees.
While the popular saying is that money does not buy happiness, a pay cheque is still a major factor when we choose where to work. But according to Harvard Business Review, across all income levels, the top predictor of workplace satisfaction is not pay: it is the culture and values of the organization, followed by the quality of senior leadership and the career opportunities at the company. Clearly, the work culture of an enterprise profoundly impacts the productivity and performance of an employee. It affects one’s mental wellbeing too since it’s not uncommon to hear people leaving companies due to toxic work cultures and joining places with a ‘great’ work culture.
Soulveda shares some great ways to create a positive work culture that one can apply professionally.
Set example as a leader
“To be a leader, you’ve got to lead human beings with affection,” says the visionary JRD Tata, an Indian business tycoon who is respected worldwide. Truly, a leader sets the tone for the organization. Productivity, quality of work, honouring timelines and employee’s interaction with each other – all have an imprint of the leader of the organization.
Employees spend nearly one-third of their lives at the workplace. They look forward to humane and kind behaviour from an empathetic leader, who in turn is not only respected, but is rewarded with good work and business profitability.
The way a leader conducts and executes his or her responsibilities becomes the unsaid rule at the workplace and reflects in employee performances too. The workplace culture is certainly what the ‘captain of the ship’ manifests.
Transparent and open communication
For a positive work culture, open communication is the foundation on which, trust, sharing of ideas and strong relationships can be built. A culture of transparency is the best gift you can give to your employees. In any set-up, when one can freely say what one wants to, it leads to creative solutions, out-of-the-box ideas and better resolutions to conflicts. A workplace culture should be transparent enough to let employees freely communicate their thoughts and receive feedback as well.
To build a collaborative workplace, where the individuals truly perform as a team, one has to focus on open communication. A workplace that is entangled in conflicts cannot exude positivity. Open and transparent communication minimizes conflicts, creating a vibrant culture of employees bonding and performing to their best.
Often, we see information getting lost or not reaching executives timely or accurately when communication channels don’t work well. This leads to non-performance, non-compliance of timelines and ambiguity. But a positive work culture favours timely and transparent dissemination of information to employees. Communication lays the foundation of trust and builds the framework for team spirit and meaningful relationships.
Foster the young workforce
Everywhere in the world, employees look forward to performing and learning while enhancing their personal and professional growth. This mind-set adds to the growth of the organization too, creating a win-win for both. When the work culture nurtures talent and celebrates performance, that positivity impacts everyone. As an employer, you can win hearts and immense trust by imparting your knowledge, wisdom and valuable experience to the young workforce.
A culture of mentoring in an organization leads to mutual respect, trust and performance elevation. Such meaningful relationships manifest into a thriving work culture. It is through mentoring that the young workforce train and develop into an asset, while the mentee gains trust and feels valued. A toxic work culture discourages the exchange of knowledge and denies growth. Mentoring goes a long way in developing a positive work culture, where learning, seeking and growth is valued and cherished.
Zero tolerance for toxic behaviour
Allowing negative behaviours and toxic attitudes to propagate at the workplace cultivates an unfavourable working environment. Harmful gossip and negative remarks should not be tolerated at work. A culture of positivity also includes zero tolerance towards bullying.
Additionally, an absolutely zero-tolerance policy towards racial discrimination, sexual harassment, fraud and violence helps maintain the reputation and integrity of a good company. When the employees experience a diverse and inclusive work environment where they feel cared for and experience just treatment from their managers, they tend to perform to their best.
Respect and trust
As human beings, we thrive on respect and trust. According to a survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, 94% managers feel that a positive work culture builds a resilient team. A workplace which promotes a positive work culture will always make its employees feel respected. How an employee is spoken to, given instructions, reviewed – the language used for communication matters.
No human resource can serve and perform for long in an organization, where disrespectful behaviour is tolerated. In fact, such a workplace can expect a reputation of being a toxic workplace in no time. If an employee is not respected for his talent, views and the value that he or she brings to the organization, they don’t just leave, but share their bitter experience with others. And no company can afford to be labelled toxic.
“Next to physical survival, the greatest need of a human being is psychological survival, to be understood, to be affirmed, to be validated, to be appreciated,” writes Gary Chapman in his book The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace: Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People. Thus, an employee should be adequately praised and rewarded for their valuable contribution at work. Respect and trust go a long way in establishing a fruitful, nurturing two-way relationship at the workplace. These virtues help create positivity and allow a free flow of ideas.
Always remember that cheerful, enthusiastic and productive employees are an indication of a prosperous and growth-oriented workplace and a positive work culture ensures that.
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