A Business Leader’s Guide on How to Create a Positive Workplace Culture: Our Top 6 Tips for Success

 

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, we saw an intense shift in the workforce that changed the landscape of business. As many individuals reevaluated their personal and professional priorities, we saw employees leaving their jobs in droves. 

An estimated 47 million workers left their positions in 2021. What was the number one reason behind this “The Great Resignation”? A toxic workplace culture.

This fact should speak loudly to every business leader seeking to grow and thrive in 2022. More than compensation, more than a title, a healthy, positive workplace culture is what the modern-day worker cares about the most.

So what does it take to create a workplace culture that no one wants to leave?

Does Workplace Culture Really Matter?

Um, yeah. The majority of 47 MILLION people say so. But if you need more convincing, take a look at these stats.

According to Glassdoor’s Mission and Culture survey:

• 77% of adults across 4 different countries would consider a company’s culture before applying for a job.

• 79% would look into a company’s mission, purpose, and values before applying.

• Over half of the 5,000 surveyed stated that when it comes to job satisfaction, a company’s culture is even more important than the salary they receive.

It’s important to note that this survey was made BEFORE we even entered into the pandemic and experienced the Great Resignation. 

Considering that the number one reason for workers leaving their jobs during these past two years was dissatisfaction with their workplace culture, it’s safe to assume that if this survey was taken again, those percentages would be even higher. 

This clearly shows the importance of workplace culture within our current moment in history. If you want to avoid high turnover rates, scale your business, and succeed in a faltering economy, you need to start at the heart of your company.

How Do You Create a Positive Workplace Culture?

 

1. Invest in Your Team.

A positive workplace culture begins with action. No amount of words, motivational posters, or well-designed workspaces are going to matter if your employees don’t experience care in a personal, tangible way. 

At Squeeze, one of our driving mottos is “People First, Employees Second.” Our team isn’t a machine; it’s made up of real people with real struggles, real joys, and real lives. When people are seen for what they truly are—PEOPLE—then the heart of a great company culture begins to beat. 

There are so many ways to show your employees that you care, both in everyday interactions as well as on special occasions. 

• Buy lunch for the team on a regular basis. We’re pretty sure there’s a quote that says “The way to any human being’s heart is through their stomach.” A free meal is a small way to give your team something to enjoy and look forward to. 

• Recognize and reward hard work. Your high-achievers will feel valued and seen, and it encourages a workplace culture where quality performance and friendly competition can thrive.

• Encourage and support self-care. To balance out the hard work, make it clear to your employees that taking time for R&R is high priority. Allow for flexibility in scheduling and time off. Build trust and cultivate a safe environment where employees can be honest about how they’re doing…really. Come alongside them when they are struggling and help in whatever way you can.

These are just a few examples. Get creative and specific with your team. If you’re not sure what they would love as a part of their workplace culture, ask them! Listen, respond, and implement changes.

2. Communicate Clearly and Consistently.

A successful workplace culture relies heavily on how well you communicate with the members of your team. This is a professional relationship, but a relationship nonetheless, and any good relationship employs clear, transparent, honest communication.

• Set clear job requirements and expectations so your team has security and direction. 

• Discuss goals and deadlines as a team.

• Keep your appointments, and if you have to reschedule, do so well in advance whenever possible.

• Speak respectfully no matter how the other person is addressing you. 

• Be honest and encouraging.

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• If any changes are made to schedules, projects, or goals, bring them up right away and don’t wait until the last minute. Ask your team members to do the same.

• Outside of everyday interactions, make sure to establish a regularly scheduled meeting to promote consistency and encourage discussion.

Along with promoting healthy communication habits, stay alert for any toxicity that may crop up amongst your employees. Gossip and backbiting can destroy your workplace culture and your team from the inside out. 

Address such matters quickly and firmly, and set a good example by refusing to talk about other people behind their backs (no matter how frustrating they can be).

3. Encourage a Workplace Culture of Teamwork and Collaboration.

“Teamwork makes the dream work.” No company survives on the back of a sole individual. If you want a strong team, you have to develop a workplace culture that encourages your members to build relationships and work together.

• Resolve any conflicts between teams/individuals quickly and compassionately.

• Schedule team-building outings that encourage casual interactions so your team members can really get to know each other. Go for a hike, book an escape room, or plan an office party.

• Make space during meetings for brainstorming and open discussion. 

Personally, we like to work hard AND play hard to promote a balanced workplace culture. During breaks, you can find our agents challenging each other to a game of online chess, or trying to stump our Harry-Potter-obsessed manager with trivia questions. 

4.  Be Real.

Employees appreciate leaders who give clear direction and guidance, but also show they’re a real human being like everyone else. There’s nothing that strangles a workplace culture faster than a heavy-handed, out-of-touch executive who sets themselves on a pedestal above their employees.

The executive team and leaders in your company can set the tone for a positive workplace culture through:

• Availability. Be there for your employees when they need you. Respond promptly to emails and messages, or set a time to chat if you’re immediate schedule is full. Main point: don’t forget about or dismiss a question or concern. 

• Flexibility. Be willing to work with your team members when creating a schedule or organizing time off. 

• Empathy. This should go without saying, but show care when someone is sick or going through a difficult season of life. Do what you can to support them in word AND action. 

• Humor. Did something not go according to plan? Choose to greet the challenges with humor instead of blowing up. How you respond to bumps in the road sets the tone for the rest of your company to emulate in the workplace culture.

5. Let Values Steer Your Ship.

Anyone can write a mission statement or list of company values. But it takes a true industry leader to follow through and live it out. 

When formulating the “why” behind your business, take a moment (or two, or three) to be honest with yourself and evaluate if you can make good on the values you hold to. Only move forward when you are confident you can implement them as part of your workplace culture. 

Following through on what you say you stand for builds trust among your employees and gives them something they can hold on to and get behind. The company’s mission becomes everyone’s mission, creating a unified team and enthusiastic brand ambassadors. 

Having a strong value system that is consistent and tangible also serves to draw in and retain like-minded team members. Everyone is looking for that perfect fit. “If you build it, they will come.” And if you maintain it, they will stay.

6. Support Your Team Members in Their Work.

Every person on your team comes into the job with expectations and dreams of their own that, when supported, can create a workplace culture they never want to leave. 

The opposite is also true: if their work is undervalued, or they are continually swamped with extra work that keeps them from doing their own tasks well, job satisfaction will plummet, productivity will plummet, and sales will plummet. Before you know it employees will be leaving for greener pastures and you and Francis the Office Fern will be the only ones left to pick up the pieces.

When someone feels genuinely valued and is shown respect for the role they play within the company, they feel connected to the business on a personal level. They become a true member of the workplace team. 

What’s one practical way you can value your team members and cultivate a positive, healthy workplace culture?

Let Squeeze Support Your Workplace Culture

We understand the value that comes from allowing your team members to do what they were hired to do. Not only does it create a fabulous workplace culture, but it’s basic business sense. Streamline and optimize your business processes, and your company will skyrocket and increase profitability.

That’s why we started Squeeze. We saw the gap between marketing and sales and filled it so you can rescue your drowning teams and stop leaking lost revenue streams all over the place.

We take on all those tasks that bog down your sales and marketing teams so they can do their own job, do it well, and thrive in the healthy workplace culture you provide for them.

You can take the step to support your teams and your workplace culture today. Just contact us here. We can’t wait to create something amazing together!