4 steps to strengthen your workplace culture

Erin Richardson

Manifesting a workplace that people want to show up for each day is something for which to be proud. It also increases employee and customer attraction and retention. But if you feel that improving your workplace culture is easier said than done, read on. Here’s how we do it.

1. STRONG TEAM-BUILDING

Reiterating the importance of team-building opportunities and a “we are all in this together” mindset inspires employees to do what is best for the company. It builds trust, encourages communication, mitigates conflicts and can ultimately boost your company’s bottom line. Here are three different strategies we use to build stronger teams:

• Walk the talk about the power of your team. For instance, true teamwork is what powers All-American’s successful four-day workweek. More time off wouldn’t be possible without reliable team members and on-call days.
• Set big goals that require teamwork, creative ideas and innovative problem-solving. Together, we are looking for innovative solutions for all aspects of our organization. Working within the structure of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) empowers all team members to contribute ideas, regardless of their current roles or tenure.
• Plan fun events to make regular meetings and training more enjoyable. We regularly incorporate Giant Jenga and Connect 4 tournaments in our business meetings, and we recently engaged employees in a company-wide pumpkin-carving contest, just as two examples. It’s all about bringing your team together and making work light and enjoyable.

2. TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNICATION

Employees need ongoing feedback, clearly communicated goals, and a collaborative work environment that they feel is fair, relevant and encouraging.

Our team has shared feedback that the mentorship they receive from peers and leaders remains helpful to their continued growth, both personally and professionally. Letting them know that I appreciate their frustrations and celebrations has proven to mold a stable employer-to-employee bond that is invaluable.

3. WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Many companies get caught up in the day-to-day workload. When things get busy, work-life balance is usually the first thing to go. I wouldn’t underestimate the power of bringing balance to your people.

According to online career search resource Zippia.com, 72 percent of professionals looking for a job believe work-life balance is an important factor to consider. It is proven that companies that make it a priority to help their employees manage hours are more likely to retain and recruit workers. Regular and predictable hours year-round are necessary to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Providing personal time off and paid holidays (including their birthdays) are easy ways to give back personal time to your team. Remote work for customer care positions and a four-day workweek for service positions are both options that promote employees’ well-being, happiness and stress levels, and can heighten their productivity and focus levels.

4. SHARING THE LOVE

Every employee should feel valued and heard. Letting every employee have a seat at the table to feel empowered to share their thoughts can motivate individuals to reach their highest potential. Creating a positive and inclusive work culture by welcoming individuals from all backgrounds and celebrating their differences must also be emphasized.

There is a great team behind every great company, and there are servant leaders leading all great companies. Model and grow servant leadership within your business. Share the vision, set big goals, create space for work-life balance, hold everyone accountable, say “thank you” and celebrate often.

Prioritizing a healthy work culture matters. Employees value culture now more than ever — and putting a focus on this can be used as an opportunity to re-engage your teams and allow your employees to thrive in 2023 and beyond.