A workplace culture is the core of any organization, and it can spell success or failure. The character of any business and the personality of any company is its culture. It’s also what makes it unique. Suffice it to say that the total values, behaviors and interactions, the traditions and beliefs of an organization make up its culture. When an organization has positivity, that personality can help build the business and increase its success.
Many organizational and business endeavors begin with the ultimate goal of making it big in terms of production and profits. But they miss out on developing a healthy and worker-friendly environment. On the other hand, many more attain success by placing higher value on the workplace culture. This means there are instilled values and strong beliefs throughout the organization. This oneness paves the way for many businesses to prosper as the people labor efficiently and positively.
The question in mind right now would likely be: Why should my focus be on creating a positive workplace culture when things are going well for my business?
Well, that’s good news! Sure, many companies big and small would experience highs and gains at some point. But the thing is that success needs to be sustained. Many businesses like yours actually raked huge profits and were embraced by their target markets. But one little shakeup in the industry like new competition and or a shaky economy, and everything falters. Production goes down, clientele gets thin and then profits are slow to come in. These are definitely events any organization wouldn’t want to happen, and this is why a positive workplace culture needs to be in place.
In the United States, the top 100 best companies consider the workplace culture as the key to continued success. True, it does not prevent losses from taking place, but it sure holds any business above and ensures its steadfast place in the grueling challenges. Experts have long theorized that the best way to enhance and make stronger any business would be to create a positive workplace culture. The strongly built and unique norms within an organization have an immense effect on operations and production.
What Comprises a Positive Workplace Culture?
Vision and mission that is lived by. In any group with a goal, it must be laid out clear and understood by everyone. But a vision and its mission shouldn’t just be a few lines that are placed on the workplace walls. It must inspire because it’s true, and because the whole organization holds it dear. The vision and mission must be everyone’s commitment, and their daily targets must be solidly anchored on both.
Credible leadership and efficient management. Every organization has a leader and systems in place to get things going. But it should not just be any leader, and not just any management style, for that matter. The leadership needed is one that communicates with everyone so that the whole workplace appreciates and becomes committed to the organization’s goals and objectives. Decisions, feedback mechanisms and the sense of trust are something a good leader puts emphasis on. On the other hand, the management must be well understood, particularly systems of operations and the procedures and structures. All the people involved in the top two tiers must have strong interaction with those below them to be considered effective.
Practices, policies and philosophies in place. A standout characteristic of a successful organization is that they have clear-cut policies and practices in terms of performance and promotions, management, code of conduct, and training and development. At the same time, the workplace philosophies are in sync with the policies and practices, particularly in recruitment and hiring, promotions and additional compensations.
Open and efficient communications. The interaction between people in the workplace is very important. Gaps and faults within relations and processes take place when the people experience lack of communication. It becomes a source of toxic misunderstanding, ineffectiveness in processes, and defects in the end products or targets. But when open, efficient communications are in place, all these things could be avoided. The organization where people are heard and they are willing to listen has the biggest potential to succeed. This is because problems observed are addressed immediately, solutions put on the table come from everyone involved, and assessment of processes is carried out agreeably.
Healthy and conducive workplace. An environment that renders confidence and safety in doing work routines every day is something employees need. To achieve this means being able to provide sufficient spaces and equipment needed for them to be productive. They must be made to feel comfortable even as they’re bent on achieving the targets. There must be areas for basic needs such as clean and sanitized restrooms, relaxing lounges, and facilities where they can eat and have a health break.
We have seen how valuable it is to have a positive workplace culture. When something is amiss like non-responsive leadership, we can already surmise that the employees will be unhappy and the systems will be inefficient. Unclear vision and inconsistent implementation of practices or policies can lead to a dissatisfied and low morale workforce. When there is lack of communication or the work environment is deemed hazardous and unhealthy, we could expect failures, accidents and great losses.
On the other hand, when the five above-mentioned characteristics are present in an organization, the opposite happens. The whole workforce would be inspired, committed and trusted to efficiently carry out their roles and responsibilities. This further brings in stronger production, continuous improvements to the systems, and sustained growth for the business or company. Equally important, the brightest and most talented persons will want to stay and be part of the force that wants to attain the vision and mission they have come to embrace. From the outside, the organization will be very attractive to only the best talents. After all, the positive workplace culture will definitely standout!