The Best tips to developing a strong organizational culture

A strong workforce is the backbone of your organization, and if they are unsatisfied or unmotivated, then success and productivity will suffer. On the contrary, an enthusiastic workforce enhances the development of your business. It also plays a vital role in creating a positive employer brand and helps you attract the most promising candidates when a job opportunity arises in your industry.

Organizational culture is the primary character of any company. A solid culture isn’t just about the work premises or the comfortable furniture. It includes an excellent and motivating work environment that comes from the top and is practiced at all levels of the organization. Culture in any business is the most crucial element in obtaining and retaining the best talents in the market. It focuses beyond its success and gives equal importance to each employee, their career growth, and well-being.

A recent study stated that around 75% to 80% of employees would consider a company’s culture before applying for a job there. This guide will discuss the best tips to develop a strong organizational culture.

1. Right hiring decisions:

An organization is highly impacted by the characteristics of its employees and their understanding of its goals. You need to hire employees with the same vision as yours to achieve the goals positively. A wrong hire would increase employee turnover, disturb the smooth functions of the organizational culture, and demotivate their colleagues.

Sometimes getting people who share the exact vision becomes difficult while personally screening hundreds of applicants. It is advisable to implement a virtual interviewing platform in your hiring practice that helps you hire suitable candidates for your business. The most appropriate recommendation would be Jobma. Jobma helps you screen multiple applicants and shortlists only those candidates who are perfect for the job and align with your company goals.

2. Focus on each employee’s mental wellbeing:

Mental well-being is a crucial element that builds a positive culture in the organization but is often neglected. The workplace is prone to stress and an unhealthy environment if left uncontrolled. Below are a few ways to maintain a stress-free work environment and pay attention to the employee’s mental well-being.

• Ensure no bias in your workforce makes certain employees feel neglected.
• Notice and acknowledge if any employee seems visibly uncomfortable or down in the office.
• Maintain a comfortable and hygienic office environment 
• Organize mindfulness sessions regularly that help employees calm their anxiety
• Consider calling mental health professionals to conduct monthly seminars for your workforce.

3. Practice employee recognition:

Whenever an employee goes above and beyond for a project, it is important that their efforts are acknowledged and appreciated. It’s a human need to feel respected when they perform tremendously or more than expected. Though it isn’t essential to compliment them for everything, keeping a healthy balance is always best. Most of the time, this appreciation would cost you nothing; such appreciation could be:

• A quick shoutout in front of their colleagues
• A LinkedIn or any relevant corporate platform appreciation.
• Simply approaching them to genuinely thank them for what they do can go a long way.

This would send a powerful optimistic message to boost the employee’s morale and encourage the other team members to perform better. This is a fantastic way to thoroughly impact your organizational culture.

4. Respectful and empathetic leadership:

Another way to build a concrete organizational culture is to show respect and empathy to every workforce employee regardless of their position. It is imperative to understand that your team tried hard to achieve the objective, but some problems are unforeseen. Rather than bashing them on the outcomes, you must be empathetic and appreciate their efforts. You can give them positive feedback so they can perform better next time a similar task is given.

A healthy work culture combines empathetic leadership, employee behavior, and communication. This is not just a one-time plan but an ongoing practice. Every employee at each level of the organization is equally liable for supporting it. 

Some prompt leadership gestures that make significant differences could be:

• Respectfully get to know employees on a personal level. Ask about their weekend plans, how their family is doing, or what their hobbies are outside of the office.
• Greet them with a smile
• Ask if they are facing any challenges during a project

5. Have effective communication:

Valid and transparent communication practice is another great way to keep the organization’s culture fit. We often see that senior officials hesitate to accept their faults and don’t take feedback and complaints from juniors positively. This creates pressure on the workforce, and they try to make a fake scenario of accomplishments and avoid accepting their faults, ultimately leading to major losses and conflicts.

It would also be best to invite employee feedback about the following:

• Company’s Culture 
• Teammates and leaders
• Their requirements (if any)
• Tools they lack to perform their work effortlessly.

You can keep the feedback anonymous so that each employee can be truthful without being pressured by the consequences.

A continuous communication channel would help you avoid losses and issues at a very early stage. Employees who feel that their needs, opinions, and well-being matter feel motivated to perform their best for your business.

6. Embody flexible work culture:

Being flexible about work culture is valuable to boost work productivity and employee motivation. Employees feel drained due to the monotonous work timetables,  working from home or remotely can be a rejuvenating break for them. This can also send a message to the employees that you trust their efficiency to yield results even when managers are not around.

Statistically, around 58% of employees expect flexible work routines to be a part of their benefits package. A flexible work culture would also lead to higher ROI in recruitment and retention.

Remote work practices are essential even for employers as 35-40% of remote employees are more productive. Some of the reasons for this raised productivity are:

• Fewer interruptions at work hours
• More focus at work
• Comfortable workspace
• Flexible work schedule

7. Include workforce diversity:

Workplace diversity states the acceptance and inclusion of employees from all backgrounds. Building a diverse workforce is an innovative way to bring in new ideas and create a positive competitive spirit. According to various studies, companies that implement diversity in their work culture create a motivating and energetic environment that drives the employee to perform their best and keeps them involved in new projects. The workforce doesn’t feel stuck in regular job patterns that don’t offer new learnings, challenges, or growth opportunities.

Apart from maintaining a healthy work culture, diverse companies statistically accomplish 2.3 times higher money flow per employee, and diverse management has noticed an increase in revenue by almost 19%.

Wrapping it up:

The workforce is the greatest asset of any organization, and you must try hard to keep them motivated. Building a robust organizational culture is a long journey that calls for consistency and focus. It would be best to think of all the positive things one can expect from their workplace and try implementing them in your culture.

FAQs

Why is organizational culture important for a company?

Organizational culture shapes the work environment and affects employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention. A positive culture attracts top talent and helps in maintaining a motivated workforce, leading to overall business success.

How can I make effective hiring decisions to build a strong organizational culture?

To ensure that new hires align with your company’s goals and values, implement a robust hiring process, possibly using virtual interviewing platforms like Jobma. This helps in screening candidates who fit well with your organizational culture and vision.

What are some ways to focus on employees’ mental well-being?

Promote mental well-being by ensuring a bias-free environment, recognizing signs of distress, maintaining a comfortable office space, organizing mindfulness sessions, and inviting mental health professionals for seminars.

Why is effective communication crucial for organizational culture?

Transparent and honest communication helps in addressing issues early and avoids conflicts. Encouraging feedback and ensuring that employees feel heard and valued contributes to a healthier work environment.