In a modern world of the quiet quitter, it is more important than ever that leadership teams take extra steps to create a positive work culture. Pushing this priority to the wayside will do far more harm than good. It is estimated that nearly half of all American workers will be seeking a new job in the next six months. Though most of those people cite low pay as the reason for a departure, we all know that workplace culture and environment are a close second.
It’s perhaps easier to list all the ways a toxic environment can damage a company and its business reputation before listing all the simple ways an excellent work culture can be created. A bad work environment breeds bad behavior, not to mention these other unfortunate ramifications.
- Low employee enthusiasm
- Role confusion and dysfunction
- Office gossip
- Increased stress
- Low productivity
- High turnover rates
When employees feel poorly about where they work, they don’t hesitate to tell others. Before you know it, employer-ranking websites such as Indeed, CareerBuilder, and more say your company is a bad workplace.
But all is still possible because there are 3 simple and powerful ways to create a positive work culture where employees will flourish and want to stay. So, take a break from developing your real-estate marketing strategy using REI Blackbook, and let’s get into it!
Do these 3 things to create a positive work culture you and your employees can be proud of
Taking these simple steps will reap your business some profound benefits, including:
- Job satisfaction and dedication
- Positive employee reviews
- More employees pursuing professional growth opportunities
Whether you think your business environment needs more positivity or want to stay ahead of the curve and do what’s best for your people, take these steps immediately.
1. Be clear with your employees about your purpose and values
All employees want to feel like they are part of something. From the President to the janitor, every single person in your business has a role to play that helps your business function at its very best. So, keep people in the know and practice transparency about why you are in the business you are, how it benefits others, and the values you expect employees to demonstrate. And make sure that what you do isn’t anything less. Practicing what you preach is crucial.
2. Be clear and consistent about the job and performance expectations
Employees need to know what you expect of them. Build a performance review and coaching process that provides employees with clear expectations, but also go the extra step to recognize positive behaviors and coach away the bad ones. When employees know why they do their job, have the tools to do it, and know that their leadership team wants them to succeed, they’ll inevitably work harder and better. Also, never hesitate to check in on how you’re doing. Have an internal NPS or employee satisfaction survey that tells you exactly how you’re doing. If something needs improvement, don’t just say you’ll change – make it happen.
3. Pay your employees what they’re worth and help them grow
When businesses start to struggle, the first thing they do is cut pay or let people go. While sometimes there is a need to trim the fat, making sure that your employees are fairly and competitively compensated from the get-go can help ensure they are doing the best possible job for you. Employers must understand that attrition is one of the highest business costs, but employees are less likely to leave when they are well-paid and have growth opportunities. This not only saves your company money, but it keeps it more operationally efficient too.
