Leadership

Company culture defined: A critical piece of a successful organization

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Company culture is one of the most important parts of a productive and healthy organization, but it’s also one of the most intangible and misunderstood facets of running and leading a business. It’s a term that gets thrown around constantly by thought leaders and consultants, but what is company culture defined correctly? According to Harvard Business Review, “Culture expresses goals through values and beliefs and guides activity through shared assumptions and group norms.”

Company culture defined: it is made of many factors including;

How the employees feel about the company, its leadership and the work they are doing.
How employees interact and communicate.
Whether or not everyone on the team feels valued and that their voices are heard.

Because culture is made of so many facets, it’s easy to end up with the wrong thing. Billions are spent on initiative and programs in the name of culture, but often, very little is achieved. So how do you actually get culture right? In this article, we look at and debunk common misconceptions about organizational culture, and share how to build it.

Company culture defined: not just about a fun office

The biggest disconnect with company culture is that leaders can be very missguided about how to actually instill it into the day to day running of the business. This is how companies end up implementing things like snooker tables, game rooms, and other “fun” activities at the office. The challenge is, if your employees aren’t actually happy and excited to be at work, or actually hate being at work, no amount of new attractions will change that.

Good or bad, your business already has a culture

Another misconception about organizational culture is that it can only be a good thing, but the truth is, if your business is run on negativity, disorder, and toxic competition, that is indeed the culture that you have. Even if you try to push for something different, the vibe that happens without trying is your company culture. Leaders and managers have to observe how their employees interact, and survey how they feel about your culture. This will give you a true indicator of what your culture is.

Company culture defined: you have to be intentional about it

The culture in your business takes a concerted effort. Just as human beings have to  work to improve themselves, so do organizations. If you want to change your culture or improve it, you have to put the strategies in place to accomplish that goal.

There is a real and tangible effect of working hard on building a better culture. People come for the job and the pay, but stay for the culture, so you have to make sure the people who work for you feel valued and heard. According to employee engagement consultants, “Employee engagement and retention are a direct result of the company culture and how much leaders work to nurture it consistently.”

Some people think culture doesn’t matter, but it’s truly one of the most important pillars of your entire organization. To find out about the kind of tools you need to invest in for retention and engagement, visit Talentkeepers.com.

Company culture defined: an extension of the leader

Culture is the extension of the leader and is formed around what they value, and what they allow. If a leader has personal flaws or problematic beliefs, they will be reflected in how their employees act and interact. If you’re trying to build the right culture, it begins at the top, and it begins with you.

Leaders who invest in coaching and bettering themselves emotionally have businesses with a positive organizational culture. Before  you set a cultural expectation for your team, make sure you’re aligned with what you’re trying to encourage.

Company culture defined: More than words

Many leaders think that just talking about the culture is what makes a company culture take hold. It’s extremely common to have a leader talk about the company culture being one thing, while their employees are having a completely different experience.

It’s nice to say that you value things like health productivity, teamwork, and open communication, but if that’s not what’s actually happening in the organization, those words are incredibly hollow. Culture isn’t what you say it is, it’s what actually exists.

If you’re a business leader, you shouldn’t just be obsessed with expenses and the profit margin, you should also be equally obsessed with your culture. That’s because culture determines the quality of work your company produces, it’s what makes your employees happily do great work, and it allows your business to keep growing in the long run.

Leave company culture till it’s too late, and you might do damage to the entire business.

About Business Woman Media

Our women don’t want to settle for anything but the best. They understand that success is a journey involving personal growth, savvy optimism and the tenacity to be the best. We believe in pragmatism, having fun, hard-work and sharing inspiration. LinkedIn

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