As a leader or the one your team seeks direction from, it’s your responsibility to live the values of the brand and/or organization. Decisions and actions should allow you to communicate and embed these values and purposes amongst your team.
There are some easy ways to drive a positive workplace culture.
- Transparency
You might have heard the saying, transparency is the currency of trust. It’s something I believe it. Don’t be afraid to share successes, failures, challenges and changes with your team. Trust your team; after all – you hire them for a reason. Communication is something we think of but don’t always act on or follow through with - Well-being
Make your well-being and your team’s well-being a priority. This includes physical and mental health but also furthers into social aspects of the job with clients and colleagues. Listen to your team and hear what causes struggles or hurdles in their process. You have the power to remove stressors and encourage wellness practices and initiatives. - Give + take feedback
Feedback is two-way. You can’t expect to get feedback if you’re not providing any. Listen to individuals and teams. They’ll gladly share insight on the company culture and their working environment if they feel like they are being heard. Be open, be honest and don’t be afraid to feel a little vulnerable. Provide ongoing feedback to your team – not just when something great or terrible goes down. - Reward + recognize
Really acknowledge those that are working long hours and performing high. It’s key that you sincerely give recognition for those that go above and beyond. You can use awards, incentives, perks and other benefits. Keep in mind, not everyone likes to receive appreciation the same. - Grow + challenge
Employee retention not only saves money but it’s key for company growth. Offer training opportunities and career development. Think of courses, conferences and the potential to push your employees to develop their skills further. Allow your team members to feel like they have some influence and that they can be intellectually challenged.
After all, you’re only as strong as those people around you. Driving a positive workplace culture isn’t as tough as you may have thought. Things don’t change overnight but if you don’t start – you won’t see a shift.
