It becomes somewhat a cliché to say, simply because it’s all too real. Although the salary you offer your employees may be enticing, it is not enough. Are you offering your employees a healthy working environment that promotes mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing? Company culture plays a significant role when employees consider whether your workplace is one where they can see themselves fitting into and at that, be happy.
Cultural fit considers whether the employee’s values and the business’s values align – are they working a job that allows them to be passionate about what they do because they truly believe in what the company is selling or offering its clients? These are the questions you need to ask yourself when considering whether employees are the right fit for your company.
Although anyone with the right capabilities can get the job done, only those who truly believe in what they do will add significant values to your company and its stakeholders. After all, if you love your job, it doesn’t feel like working. Although the job may be demanding, along with all the pressures of meeting targets, true passion shines through when employees immerse themselves in the company culture and take pride in their role in the company’s success.
Cross-pillar collaboration
In companies where employees work within departments, you can find departments become comfortable working in silos. While certain work needs to be assigned per department, there is also value in aligning to foster cross-pillar collaboration that results in a holistic 360-degree strategy. This is not only good for the desired outcome of the project but also allows employees to understand and experience what the other departments are responsible for – building respect and appreciation for the work that other departments do.
Give credit where credit is due
Employees who take their job seriously will more often than not, be their own biggest critics. While you may have 101 projects or deadlines on the go, it is important as the manager or team lead to press pause and congratulate employees when good work is done. In companies where team effort is required, acknowledge those who have had a significant hand in bringing the team to where it is. A simple pat on the back can motivate employees and encourage them to give every project their level best because their efforts are being recognized.
Constructive criticism
While your employees might not get every project or task right 100% of the time, it is important to remember we are all human and mistakes will be inevitable.
Offer your employees an opportunity to learn and grow from their mistakes. Your delivery, reaction, and what you say to employees depicts whether your criticism is constructive or designed to tear people down. Constructive criticism should acknowledge the positives of the project or task while also looking to correct or improve weaker areas – this cannot be done in a condescending tone or in public for the whole office to hear as you scream in frustration.
Take the time to have an important conversation with your employees to truly understand what went wrong and how you can assist/support them in ensuring a better result for the next project.
While there are many other factors to consider in your road to building a stronger company culture, these 3 areas are the foundation of building an understanding work environment. The biggest trick is to position the company as a high-performing space while allowing for healthy interactions between colleagues and management. It is never too late to start practicing the basics of improving your company culture!
Supreme Talent – Expertly Matched. Lasting Success.
