Culture has always been the most important part of your employees’ experience at your company. A positive culture makes your employees more productive and your business more successful. But how can you know if your employee culture is strong? Here’s how to assess your culture.
Cultural Assessment 101
The Society for Human Resource Management tells you what you shouldn’t be. A 2019 study shows that companies that have toxic cultures are less productive. These companies have employee relationships and attitudes that deteriorate. Ultimately, the company ends up losing profits because employee culture is strongly correlated to worker production.
Conversely, a good workplace culture can drive profits and a clear competitive advantage for your company. Employees that trust each other and respect the mission of the business are happier and stay more engaged. But how can you tell?
Listen
First, pay attention to the stories that circulate about your organization. What organizational stories or history is shared between employees? How do people outside your company talk about you? Is your culture depicted as hard-working and collaborative? Or, is your company viewed as a toxic workplace?
Engage
Second, do you know how your employees think of your organization? Have you ever done an anonymous employee serve to assess the attitudes of those in your organization? Many leaders believe their employees view their organization one way when behind your back, they view it in an entirely different way. It’s important for employers to regularly engage with workers by analyzing how they view their managers, the company values, and the work they’re doing.
Observe
Third, observe how employees act on the job. Do they seem happy? Do they offer their opinions? How do you handle opinions—by letting workers know their suggestions matter? Or by shutting the employees down? Watch how managers handle employees. Are they good at seeking feedback and open collaboration with their workers, or are they acting unprofessionally or in other ways that don’t fit the kind of corporate culture you want to build?
Reflect
Fourth, review your company values. Don’t have company values? You’re in trouble. The data shows that that company values affect who and how you hire, and how you change behavior in an organization. If your workers know and embrace company values, there’s a good chance your organization will have a corporate culture that is a positive reflection on you and your company.
Core values really are key to building a positive organizational culture. It’s ironic; many organizations use works like teamwork and collaboration, responsibility and respect, all may show up on your corporate website, but if you haven’t defined what these words mean to your organization and your employees, there is no way that they will do anything to build your culture. Take the time to assess what these words really mean, and you will make the first step toward building a real, valuable culture for your organization that can benefit your business and makes your workers more productive.
We Can Help You Improve Your Company Culture
Lingo Staffing can help you find employees that fit your corporate culture. Start the conversation with our team to improve your time to hire and solve your most difficult hiring problems.
