When leaders assess the success of their organizations, they often look at their bottom lines and how to improve financially. However, it’s becoming increasingly critical for organizations to think about the role company culture plays in creating a successful workplace.
The key to transforming your culture is action. Simply talking about culture isn’t going to engage your employees or create a meaningful change. There needs to be a strategy in place that focuses on your organization’s cultural practices – including what’s being done and what needs to be done.
Whether you’re in the early stages of developing the culture at your organization or are looking to give your current culture a reboot, here three ways to start building a stronger culture today.
Use employee feedback to measure your existing culture.
There is already some element of a culture within your organization. The question you should ask yourself is: how are employees responding to their work environment?
One of the best ways to measure your company culture is by surveying employees. There are many metrics you can use to track how employees feel about working at your organization. According to Entrepreneur, developing questions that focus on communication, health and wellness, collaboration, support, and values will shed light on what your employees really think and what changes need to be made for an improved culture
For example, do your employees feel comfortable expressing their thoughts to leadership? Are they encouraged to have an innovative mindset and offer new ideas? Your employees’ answers to these types of questions may surprise you and prompt your leadership team to rethink current practices.
Promote learning and development.
Your employees’ performance – which directly affects your organization’s performance – is influenced by their skills and confidence levels. When you promote learning and development, you demonstrate to employees that you’re invested in their success.
Developing programs that incorporate peer mentoring, online learning, and other professional development is one of the most effective ways to build a company culture focused on growth and innovation. It also gives your team the tools they need to improve their individual performance.
Professional development programs can also be extremely beneficial in recruiting Millennials who are seeking roles in which they can advance and learn on the job. The ability to promote professional development as an employment benefit will be an asset to your recruiting and talent development efforts.
Communicate mission and values.
Your company culture should be driven by your company’s core mission and values. The way you communicate your organization’s mission is integral to creating a culture that your employees can embrace. This means empowering your employees to make decisions that are reflective of your mission and making sure your leaders set a good example. It also means communicating your culture in every aspect of employee development – from recruiting all the way to exit interviews. Putting your mission and values at the forefront of your organizational practices will help you build a reputation that attracts and retains top talent.
Your employees deserve to be part of an organization that values their time and talents. As explained by Career Expert Liz Ryan in this Forbes article, “Nothing good can happen unless the culture is healthy.”
By treating your company culture as more than a buzzword and implementing the tips above, you can take proactive steps to set your organization up for success. When treated as a long-term strategy, investing in your culture can be instrumental in retaining your top employees and attracting driven, qualified candidates. Bringing your organization to life through your culture is also one of the impactful business decisions you can make for your bottom line. When your employees are happy, they’re more likely to make your clients and customers happy. The sooner you embrace this message, the sooner your company culture will become a vehicle to bring your organization to new heights.