HOW TO ACHIEVE A GREAT WORKPLACE CULTURE
What is ‘Workplace Culture’ really about?
Let’s start with what it’s NOT.
Having a modern kitchen with an espresso machine is NOT.
The cookie jar – (even though that would score some brownie points with me) is NOT.
Culture is the heartbeat of the company and it starts with the top-brass. The CEO, the Owner, the GM.
Feeling Valued
A few years ago I worked for IHG Hotels. They built their brand on a high-performance culture, driven by creating an engaging and inclusive environment. During my time at the Hotel, Peter Blackburn the GM had a morning routine of walking around the hotel and engage in small, friendly conversations with staff, showing care and a genuine interest in the people he employed. I had only been there a few weeks when he came to me, greeting me by my name. A small thing, but it made me feel really valued and part of the team. I certainly always did my best working for the hotel form that point on.
Genuine care must be built directly into the company culture—not as an extra benefit, but as a foundation. These kinds of workplaces inspire loyalty, happiness, health, and success.
As a business owner/CEO you must lead by example and here are few ways how you can achieve that:
- Get to know your employees – Find out what is going on in their life and what is important to them
- Be approachable so they feel comfortable to knock on your door
- Inclusivity – ensure all staff feel part of the big picture, your vision, mission and values
- Do not practice ‘micro-management’
- Offer feedback, recommendation and commendation
- Practice kindness and empathy
- Respect all your employees as colleagues, regardless of what position they hold
- Share your successes and failures
- Ask people what they want
- Organise a group activity, contributing to a worthy community cause
Building a great culture is not an easy task to start with, however if you persevere, you will reap great benefits including efficiency, productivity, innovation, less absenteeism, a stable workforce and HAPPY EMPLOYEES who genuinely want to be there.
If you need assistance with building a strong culture and / or workforce planning, please give me a call on 07 4050 3888 or drop me an email: vlasta@signaturestaff.com.au
Author – Vlasta Eriksson
Hi Vlasta
I totally agree and I keep looking
Georgina
What a shame your philosophy is not in every business. You’d be surprised with the epidemic of bullies and power trippers there are out there. Just ruining lives.
I completely agree that genuine care must be built directly into the company culture—not as an extra benefit, but as a foundation.