How to Create a Positive Workplace Culture
What Is Workplace Culture?
Workplace culture can be difficult to define. A simple way to establish and maintain your workplace culture is through your company’s values, beliefs, goals, practices, and behaviours. This shapes the business and behaviours of everyone working within it.
Many businesses believe they already have a positive workplace culture. However, if you are experiencing a high turnover of staff, frequent staff absences, or lack of engagement – now may be the time to review and ensure you have a system in place to combat any potential issues relating to your company’s culture.
Why Creating A Positive Workplace Culture Is Important
The importance of creating a positive workplace culture is often overlooked. However, the advantages speak for themselves.
A positive workplace culture can help in the following ways:
- Enhance employee engagement
- Build trust and loyalty
- Boost productivity
- Promote communication
- Facilitate collaboration
- Attract talent
- Retain top talent
- Increase revenue
Research has found that companies with a healthy workplace culture are more likely to perform better and experience less stress.
Therefore, it is absolutely crucial factor for your business’s long-term success and isn’t something that should be dismissed or overlooked.
5 Best Practices for Creating a Positive Company Culture
Culture Starts At The Top
Positive workplace culture has to start with strong leaders. There are no two ways about it! Leaders/Managers set the tone for the rest of the organisation.
It is important to prioritise empathy, authenticity, and employee focus to increase engagement, productivity, and profitability. Good leaders should also embrace diversity, equality, and appreciation.
Additionally, as a good leader, you should invest in initiatives that matter the most to your team members. This could include providing professional development opportunities, or the option for flexible working, for example.
Flexibility And Support
One thing we can all be sure of is that no two people are the same and unexpected life events can occur. It is therefore important that you offer flexibility and support to be able to accommodate your employees’ needs as much as possible.
To help your employees feel supported and heard, it is also important to have regular check-ins and offer open communication. A valued employee is a motivated employee. By setting realistic goals and expectations and offering support for these to be achieved, you can help your employees stay motivated and feel that their contributions are appreciated.
By implementing these best practices, you can attract top talent, as well as improve employee satisfaction and performance.
Ask Questions And Be Willing To Act
Your senior leaders/managers should be advocates for employees by getting to know them, providing opportunities for growth, and showing appreciation for their work. By offering small actions such as feedback, listening, and standing up for colleagues – you can be sure that you are contributing towards a positive workplace culture.
We often see businesses asking their employees about their company culture and seeking ways that they can improve. However, it is rarely acted upon. This can really impact how valued an employee feels and can result in them feeling unheard or unappreciated. It’s important to remember that if you ask and your employees answer, then this should be acted on and feedback should be relayed transparently to all employees.
Consistent Workplace Culture
There is nothing more demotivating, and sometimes distressing, than a leader/manager who is unpredictable or leads by fear. Employees seek predictability in management and their actions. So, it is vital that you maintain expectations at all levels.
An unpredictable culture can cause contempt and distrust which can lead to a lack of productivity, large turnover of staff, and a decrease in revenue. By using effective communication, clear expectations, and mutual trust you can successfully work toward a common goal.
Consistency in management is a fundamental aspect of building a positive workplace culture.
Don't Be Afraid Of Change In The Workplace
For a business to continue to be successful, it is crucial to be able to embrace positive change in the workplace. Continuous improvement can bring about new ideas, perspectives, and approaches that can lead to innovation and the overall growth of the business.
Both you and your employees must be open to change and be open to working together to create a flexible and empathetic culture.
Overall, embracing change can have a positive impact on the company culture by improving performance, attracting elite candidates, and fostering a sense of trust and predictability.
FAQs: Creating a Positive Workplace Culture
What is workplace culture and why does it matter?
Workplace culture is the shared values, behaviours, and practices that shape how people interact and work within an organisation. It matters because a strong, positive culture improves engagement, productivity, retention, wellbeing, and overall business performance. When people feel supported and valued, they’re more motivated and more likely to stay.
How can leaders influence workplace culture?
Leaders set the tone for the entire organisation. A positive culture starts with leaders who communicate openly, act consistently, and prioritise empathy and fairness. When leaders champion flexibility, invest in development opportunities, and model the behaviours they expect from others, the culture becomes stronger, more inclusive, and more trusted.
What are some practical ways to improve workplace culture?
Practical steps include offering flexibility, providing wellbeing support, setting clear expectations, encouraging open communication, and giving regular feedback. Companies can also strengthen culture by recognising achievements, investing in training, seeking honest employee input and importantly, acting on that feedback rather than letting it go unheard.
How can businesses keep their culture consistent during change?
Consistency during change comes from transparent communication, clear leadership, and a willingness to involve employees in decision-making. By sharing the reasons behind changes, offering support, and maintaining the same values and expectations throughout transitions, businesses can create stability and maintain trust, even when things are evolving.
