Whether you’re just starting a new job or deciding whether to join an organization or not, an essential aspect of your professional life is the workplace culture. The office or organization’s environment can make or break your job experience and could lead to either long-term employment or have you rushing back to the job market.
Maybe you’re wondering what sorts of things determine or reflect the good company culture. Though it might be difficult to explain, there are several quantifiable factors that you can look for that can indicate the health of the workplace. These factors can also show you happiness levels at work and how teams and employees interact.
Here are some crucial things to consider when looking for good company culture.
How To Recognize Good Company Culture
Culture is the force that guides discretionary behavior, and it picks up where the employee handbook leaves off. It tells us how to respond to unusual service requests, whether to risk telling our bosses about new ideas, and whether to hide an issue or bring it up. Culture is what influences hundreds of decisions in the workplace every day. Company culture tells us what to do when the boss isn’t in the room.
We think that employees should look forward to going to their jobs and that the workplace shouldn’t be a source of dread. If we’re honest, the best places to work are ones where employees enjoy the challenges, their co-workers, and the atmosphere so much that they don’t mind being there. Though work can be difficult, the culture that exists in an organization shouldn’t add unproductive stress. In fact, culture should be designed to alleviate such stress and allow employees to perform at their best.
Culture should help sustain employee enthusiasm. This post will cover some of the elements that make up a good company culture. Though each culture has unique qualities, universally, culture is about helping employees perform well and ensuring they have an enjoyable and productive work environment.
Low Turnover, Long-Term Employees
One strong indicator of company culture is the employee turnover rate. To put it simply, happy and engaged employees will stay with your company for a long time.
Do you have a lot of current employees who have been there for a long time, with no intentions of leaving? This could be a sign of positive company culture.
Though offering an acceptable salary and providing good benefits can be reasons enough to stay for some, most will want a healthy company culture that makes them want to stay and put forth their best efforts.
Leaders Are Accessible and Easy To Communicate With
A sign of good company culture is when employees have leaders who are accessible and easy to talk to. Employees are more likely to support leaders who are transparent and honest and are willing to invest in their workers. Positive company culture has leaders who are front and center and make themselves available to those who work under them.
Employees are much more likely to feel good about the goals they are working toward and the company’s mission when they feel like leaders and supervisors are just as committed to the goals and mission. Employees who know their leaders are willing to do what is being asked of them and who always have their backs, will be much happier at work.
Everyone Relates To and Works Toward The Company’s Mission and Values
Asking employees why they like to work at their organization can say a lot about company culture. Usually, if a company has a great culture, employees will respond with something that relates to the company’s mission and values.
The best workplace cultures establish core values that everyone in the company is familiar with and is striving to embrace. When employees are passionate about the mission and values that make up the company, they will be more dedicated to accomplishing goals.
The mission of a company provides purpose. Having a clear purpose aligns a team and encourages employees to do better work. If a company isn’t committed to a mission and values, then their jobs are simply just jobs. When employees are interested in more than just earning a paycheck, a company has a good culture.
It’s More Than Just A “Job”
We think that looking forward to work every morning is important, including looking forward to engaging with the other people you work with. More often than not, good teams who are committed to one another and enjoy being together, belong to a company that has a good culture.
A great sign of good company culture is employees who like being together. Co-workers who seem to enjoy one another and engage positively with one another is an excellent sign that the company culture is thriving.
Wins Are Celebrated & Innovation Is Encouraged
All great companies have systematic processes in place for recognizing employee achievements. When ample positive reinforcement is given, and employees know they are valued, then ultimately, this will enhance a company’s culture.
Another sign of good company culture is when teams embrace new ideas comfortably and aren’t afraid to develop some of their own. Teams that embrace new ideas and offer unique suggestions to help make processes more efficient, normally belong to a company that has a good culture.
Let Us Help You Create A Good Company Culture
At The Center For Company Culture, our mission is to change the world by helping leaders and organizations create good company cultures. We want to help you build a workplace where your people can thrive and take pride in their work. Your success is our success.
We know that unhappiness in the workplace negatively impacts organizations and individuals, families, and society. We can help you obliterate job misery from your workplace. Here, it’s not hard for us to imagine that each of your employees will wake up each morning excited to go into work, feeling motivated to give 100%.
Because our core values include service, ownership, and greatness, you can count on us to help you push for excellence each day. Let us show you how and allow us to help you improve the health of your company’s culture.
