Employees prioritize a positive workplace culture and strong leadership over traditional salary and benefits. While fair pay is important, companies that put people first see better engagement, productivity and employee loyalty. Employees want to feel that their work matters and that they're appreciated. Creating a work environment built on trust, respect and teamwork leads to happier, more successful employees in the long run.
So, how do you create this positive culture and work environment? Here are 12 keys to supporting a people-centric place to work:
- Match your words with your actions. Company values shouldn't just be wall decorations, they should guide how the company operates every day. Employees should be able to see and feel these values in their daily work. Demonstrating company values through your actions and decisions helps build trust with employees and reinforces the company culture.
- Make time to help your employees. Don't just ask if they need help, actually set aside time to work with them or take some tasks off their plate. Be genuine about it. If you seem too busy, employees might not ask for help when they really need it.
- Find out how each employee likes to be recognized. Don't praise everyone the same way. For example, a shy person might prefer private praise instead of public recognition. Adjust your approach to fit each person's preferences. A personalized approach helps ensure that your appreciation is well-received and motivating for each team member.
- Create a “wow” onboarding experience. Make new employee onboarding amazing, not just a checklist. Put effort into making new team members feel valued and prepared from day one, setting them up for success in their role.
- Help cultivate joy in each employee’s role. Everyone has different needs and things that make them happy at work. Recognize and use your team's strengths to help each person feel a sense of satisfaction while getting their job done.
- Appreciate all employees, no matter their job. Every role matters for the organization's success. Find ways to show less visible employees that their work is important and how it contributes to the success of the organization.
- Help employees grow professionally and personally. Find out what skills employees need and provide ways for them to learn. This can lead to future promotions and new opportunities.
- Be open and communicate often. Create an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas and feedback with you. Be as transparent as possible and keep information flowing regularly. This helps build trust and keeps everyone aligned with the company goals.
- Support a healthy work-life balance. Be flexible when possible. This could mean allowing some remote work or adjusting schedules for personal needs. Understanding employees' lives outside work can increase their loyalty and commitment to their job.
- Make it okay to fail sometimes. Failures can lead to growth. When something goes wrong, encourage open discussions about what happened and how to do better next time. Creating an environment where employees feel safe to take calculated risks and learn from mistakes helps foster innovation and continuous improvement.
- Hire people who fit company culture, not just those with the right skills on paper. It's okay to pass on qualified candidates if their values don't match your company's. Hiring for culture fit might mean more training at first, but it pays off in the long run.
- Trust your employees and give them some independence. Show them you believe in their abilities. This helps them feel valued and gives their work more meaning. Set clear expectations, then allow them the autonomy to complete their work. This approach often leads to increased job satisfaction and productivity.
Looking for more tools? Here's another blog from Martin Bros. to keep you thinking: Transforming the Workforce: 6 Ways to Engage Employees
