The human resources department is part of the lifeblood of any successful organization. HR helps internal operations run more smoothly and optimize productivity. As the workforce gets younger, companies need to stay up-to-date on current practices, technology, and trends. Employers should strive to understand the values and expectations of all their employees and take measures to foster an environment that creates efficiency, loyalty and a creative spirit.
Employee performance significantly improves with a positive and encouraging company culture. A high-stress environment can literally be unhealthy for employees, resulting in lower engagement and a reduction in employee loyalty in the long-term. Employers should avoid business environments that create higher turnover, more workplace errors, and unnecessary cost for the company. A positive company culture has been proven to increase profitability, help maintain employee loyalty, decrease stress, and improve business results and objectives.
Here are three steps that you can take to begin creating that type of positive culture in your company now:
- Create Bonds of Trust with Employees
People perform better and report a better work experience when they feel confident their employer supports and believes in them. It’s key to create trust that goes both ways. Employers desire employees who are working hard and producing positive results, and employees desire employers who are committed to their development and success. Employers who treat employees with respect—by listening when they bring up issues and attempting to resolve intracompany problems—create an environment of trust. A commitment by employers to create this type of bond gives employees the confidence that they matter and their opinion is welcome. - Develop a Sense of Purpose with Company Goals
Every employee wants to feel like they are a contributor to their company’s success. Employers, want to hire and retain employees who are taking an active role in the success of the organization. A Mission Statement can be created to communicate why the company exists and what demonstrates success. This can provide a metric by which to judge performance. - Self-Assessment Keeps Office Culture Running
Once you’ve built a positive culture, you need to maintain it—just as you would maintain your office building to ensure its structural integrity. Regular meetings with employees, anonymous feedback forms, engagement surveys, and other methods of communication delivered on a systematic basis can ensure intracompany issues are resolved quickly, and that employee actions are consistent with the company’s desired goals. They can also help to identify problem areas or parts of the company culture that employees are dissatisfied with or that are causing undue stress.
Creating a positive company culture requires a commitment from management to recognize the talents and needs of employees and to put their skills to use. This allows employers to enable workers to complete tasks efficiently and ensure employees feel appreciated. Implementing measures to improve your company culture can not only make your organization more efficient, but also create an environment of mutual appreciation and support that is the foundation for a satisfied workforce.
