Company Culture: Creating The Optimal Environment For Your Business
It’s sort of a catchphrase these days: company culture. Our society is becoming more and more wellness-minded, and the relationship between work stress and general unhappiness is no secret. Some business owners are stepping out amongst their peers and actually paying attention, taking steps to take care of their employees and ultimately their company.
A company that supports its staff is what people are looking for. It’s no longer just about how much you’re paid, but about the entire package. The entire experience of working for a company is being considered like never before. To make sure your business is on the right track, we’re sharing some ideas for creating the optimal company culture
Offer Value
You get what you give. Sometimes business owners seem nervous about pouring into their employees because they don’t want to be taken advantage of or threaten their status as “boss”. But the overwhelming majority of people work better when they know their boss cares about them. Do what you can to offer value with no expectation: encourage 10 minute breaks throughout the day to toss a ball, or organize a weekly company lunch outside. Bring in a nutritionist to talk about eating well, or host a seated massage center each month. These are little things that will dramatically change the vibe of your entire company for the better. Invest in your business by investing in your staff.
Lead By Example
Be the kind of leader your team can respect. Be willing to get in the trenches. Don’t hold your employees to a higher standard than you hold yourself. Company health is created from the top-down, meaning your staff is taking their cues from you. Be a good role model: work hard when needed, but show them that it’s okay to be human, too. Remember, this is your business, not theirs. Your company may be your whole life, but it doesn’t have to be your team’s whole life to make them good at their jobs.
Practice Transparency
Concepts like transparency and vulnerability are not just for therapy anymore. Companies who “get it” are starting to incorporate these values into their culture. Give your team the ability to speak their minds (professionally, of course). Have an open-door policy. Find out their opinion on what works and what doesn’t. Be an owner who listens and collaborate with your staff.
Here's a great article that digs into the topic of vulnerability in the workplace a bit further.
It takes effort to create a company culture that people are excited about. It won't happen overnight, and it will require something from you upfront. But you can rest assured that your team, your business, and your leadership will be head and shoulders above the rest if you choose to go the extra mile and pour into your staff from the start.