I was sitting with a business leader as we discussed their business strategy. During our conversation, it became apparent that he needed to get clear on what kind of culture he wanted to build.
As a business leader, it’s up to you to create a healthy workplace culture — one that encourages collaboration, creativity, and innovation, while still maintaining a productive and professional environment. Though every culture is different, here are ideas on how to get started.
Take a “Culture First” Approach.
A “culture first” approach focuses on the health and well-being of the company and its employees. This means creating a supportive and inclusive environment that values diverse thoughts and worldviews and encourages open communication. It also means providing the necessary resources to make sure employees have the tools they need to succeed.
Establish Clear Goals and Expectations.
Recently I’ve had the opportunity to help some business leaders set clear goals and expectations. This is essential for any successful business. Explain to your team what you expect from them in terms of their performance, and make sure they understand the vision and mission of the company. As a leader, you should also ensure your team knows what their roles and responsibilities are and hold them accountable for meeting the goals.
Prioritize Employee Engagement.
One leader I was talking to applied this idea with his leadership team by listening to their ideas to create an environment for them to own the vision. When employees feel heard and valued and have opportunities to express their ideas and experiences they will be more enthusiastic about the direction of the organization. On a personal level schedule flexibility and autonomy in how they complete their work can increase engagement.1,2
Encourage Open Communication.
Oftentimes I will go into an organization to provide a communication workshop because this can be at the core of organizational culture problems. Not only is understanding our team and how we communicate important, but being available to answer questions and address concerns creates an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. Creating ways for team members to communicate with each other and safely provide constructive feedback will reinforce the culture of open communication.
Invest in Professional Development.
Investing in professional development is another great way to build a healthy culture. Research has shown that employees are more likely to stay with an organization if they help them grow in their skills.3 Providing employees with the resources and training they need to develop their skills will help them stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technology and give them the confidence to take on new challenges.
Creating a healthy workplace culture is a process that takes time, but the rewards are worth the effort. By taking the “culture first” approach, setting clear expectations, prioritizing employee engagement, encouraging open communication, and investing in professional development, you can create an environment that encourages collaboration, creativity, and innovation — and that’s good for both your business and your employees. Need help assessing your culture in an organic way? Contact me to explore tools like our communication impact workshop or the Maxwell Leadership Game to assess and/or grow your team. Lead Well.
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- https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2022/03/23/why-flexible-work-boosts-employee-productivity/?sh=7e67f4f46e4b retrieved 1/31/23
- https://www.gallup.com/workplace/283985/working-remotely-effective-gallup-research-says-yes.aspx retrieved 1/31/23
- https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/organizational-and-employee-development/pages/employees-fear-employers-dont-offer-enough-career-skills-development.aspx retrieved 1/31/23
