6 Ways to Create a Better Workplace Culture

Did you know that most job seekers (88%) and entrepreneurs (94%) cite a healthy workplace culture as vital to success? This is for a multitude of reasons: it creates a better onboarding process, increases employee retention & lowers turnover(the likelihood of job turnover at a company with a strong company culture is only 13.9% compared to 48.4%), increases revenue (by 33%!), elevates productivity and satisfaction (satisfied employees are 12% more productive!), boosts performance (by 202% or more!), enhances your brand, and more! 

Whether you're cultivating from scratch or improving workplace culture that already exists, here are six ways to ensure it's strong! 

These company values will be the root of your business and all you do. They'll guide what's considered the right and wrong way to conduct business, influencing important decisions and strategies in your company. Some examples include values such as collaborative, innovative, accountable, honest, reliable, etc.  

Note that there should be a sense of purpose at work. Most (70%) people define their sense of meaning based on their work. Defining and integrating workplace values into your decisions, practices, and daily tasks helps foster a purpose-driven environment that ultimately increases employee morale and satisfaction.  

The team should have solid relationships with each other and leadership—a sense of camaraderie. With peers, a strong connection makes the job more enjoyable and productive and fosters individual learning and development. With leadership, a strong relationship is important because it can become challenging to bring a team together and accomplish tasks ahead without one. 

Collaborating is crucial, but the Center for Creative Leadership pointed out, "Collaboration is only an effective workplace tool if the people collaborating can get along." We recommend practicing active listening and sharing to cultivate stronger employee relationships.  

Employees should always feel recognized for their accomplishments. When they do, statistics show that you can benefit from a 31% reduction in turnover rates, a team that works harder (according to 80% of people), and is expected to continue producing quality work when recognized (92% of employees reported this).  

Although most companies believe they do an excellent job at giving recognition, 29% of workers report not receiving recognition for their work, either not at all or for more than a year. A few ideas to improve workplace culture with more appreciation include gratitude on social media, rewards, team awards, extra time off, and a simple thank you in many cases. 

Psychological safety is knowing you won't be chastised or punished for sharing thoughts, ideas, and opinions. It also relates to the belief that one can admit to mistakes, raise concerns, and ask questions without being humiliated for speaking up. Improving workplace culture begins and ends with your employees feeling comfortable and safe at work. 

When done right, studies show you will benefit from the following: 

• 27% reduction in turnover 
• 76% more engagement 
• 50% more productivity 
• 74% less stress 
• 29% more satisfaction 
• 57% more collaboration 
• 26% greater skills and learning
• 67% higher chance your employees will apply their new skills 

As you create an environment of psychological safety, you'll find that transparency and communication will play a key role in your success. Not only do they allow you to communicate the acceptance of speaking up, but it ensures leadership and employees are always on the same page. Transparency and good communication in leadership, in particular, help motivate employees by giving them the bigger picture and sharing how their roles play a part in achieving that success. 

According to LinkedIn reports, 86% of people cite poor communication and collaboration as the primary causes of failure. You can make both more common in the workplace by setting an example, acting on employee feedback, and aligning it with your company culture. 

Wellness fits snuggly into fostering a better workplace culture because healthier people are happier and more present. According to Northwestern Medicine, the two go hand in; happiness impacts a person's mental, emotional, and physical well-being, while ongoing wellness practices boost one's happiness in their jobs, relationships, and themselves.  

Wellness programs are top-rated today, with features like the following helping companieslower absenteeism, reduce healthcare costs, reduce injury & accident rates, and increase employee productivity, morale, and self-esteem.  

• Customized goal setting 
• Nutritional education 
• Stress management 
• Weight loss & weight loss maintenance  
• Personal wellness coach 
• Exercise plans and more