Importance of Company Culture
“It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.”
What is company culture?
Before we can talk about how important it is, we should delineate what company culture actually is.
The phrase gets thrown a lot, but a ton of people. aren’t actually sure what it means.
There’s no shame in a sneaky double-check.
According to Alison Doyle of The Balance Careers, ‘Company culture refers to the attitudes and behaviours of a company and its employees. It is evident in the way an organization's people interact with each other, the values they hold, and the decisions they make.’
A company culture orients around a strong set of values and belief in the purpose of the company.
If you, as an employee, feel a part of something larger than yourself, you’ll be more inclined to do your best work for it!
Teamwork makes the dreamwork.
Let’s take a look at some key aspects of healthy company culture and understand why they’re important and beneficial to the performance of the company.
Provision of Opportunities to Learn
Giving your employees the chance to improve their skill sets and enhance themselves professionally is a great aspect of great company culture.
Workshops, online courses (ahem), team-building exercises etc.
Training up internal staff instead of outside hiring.
🤔So, why is this an important part of a culture?🤔
It shows that you value your employees enough to invest in their development
Internal hiring and development will increase company loyalty and a more overall sense of belonging.
‘You’re not just paying a salary, you’re investing in your employees.’
2. Consistency
Don’t be the people who stuck their values up on the door and left it at that. 🚪
Practice what you preach.
If the values of your company are important to you, you have to keep working on them. Or the culture will only feel surface deep.
🤔So, why is this an important part of a culture?🤔
Members of your company need to know where they stand.
Stability goes hand in hand with loyalty - no one wants the rug to go out from under them with a company that flip-flops on their values.
If you promise and don’t deliver, the culture will not be one based on trust.
3. Diversity and Inclusivity
Doesn’t that sound like something that should be a part of your company culture?
🤔So, why is this an important part of a culture?🤔
Not only are these vital aspects of a healthy corporate environment, but they’ll also significantly improve your company culture.
Being committed to maintaining a diverse workforce will make your employees feel, again, more loyal and invested in your mission.
Homogenous cultures won’t innovate or perform to the level as those with strong diversity.
4. Communication and Openness
A transparent environment will allow your employees to feel able to express themselves more freely.
Everyone should know that they are in a safe space to share their thoughts and opinions.
No-one should feel on the outskirts or out of the loop.
🤔So, why is this an important part of a culture?🤔
When people feel able to speak up, they can share ideas that are of benefit to the company.
If people can voice their dissatisfactions (at appropriate times, no one wants a Debbie Downer in the office) issues can be resolved before they grow.
Moreover, transparency and communication further bring trust into the company culture.
“Customers will never love a company until the employees love it first.”
Want to learn more about the importance of company culture? Pre-register for our upcoming Creative Leadership course below!
