Is Your Culture Helping Or Hurting?

A strong company culture provides a competitive advantage

There are three main components that typically comprise a company culture: mission, vision, and values. It’s important that the mission, vision, and values be clearly communicated. Together, they help communicate your brand, not only to customers and clients but also to associates who work there.
 

The best way to describe culture is as the undercurrent that runs beneath the surface of an organization - you can’t always see it, but its presence is felt. Just like a strong current has the power to propel things into motion, a strong company culture helps drive performance, retention, and engagement. A strong, healthy culture acts like a wave, gathering energy as it builds. Leaders assume the role of guides, helping associates navigate the organizational waters – the culture driving them in the right direction – toward the accomplishment of their performance goals. Without leaders guiding the way, associates lack the direction they need to succeed.

Organizational culture is a direct reflection of the leadership of the organization. As they work toward the mission and vision, leaders bring the culture to life by demonstrating the company values and being role models for others to follow. Leaders have a responsibility to reflect the attitudes and behaviors that are acceptable, while also discouraging those that are not.

A toxic work culture, on the other hand, is typically the type of environment that propagates unhealthy behaviors. This toxic culture places a heavy weight on associates. In organizations where the culture is toxic or weak, there is not enough power or momentum to enable associates to thrive, or for performance to excel. In these organizations, leaders do not help guide associates in the right direction, and those associates seem lost, and unable to reach their goals. A toxic workplace culture is one of the most prevalent reasons for resignation. After all, if you felt like you were sinking, you’d want to get out of the water as soon as possible, wouldn’t you?

A benefit of a strong company culture is that it also provides a competitive advantage. When prospective candidates consider joining a company, culture can play a key role in that decision. During the interview process, hiring managers should take the time to describe the company culture and how it contributes to the associate’s success. While a toxic culture leads to turnover, a strong culture can be a talent magnet.

When communicating or demonstrating the company culture, it’s important that all leaders are consistent, so as not to send conflicting messages. In addition to recruiting, it’s also extremely helpful to incorporate or map the culture into the various stages of the employee life-cycle such as onboarding, performance, and development, as well as processes and procedures, to increase adoption.

When leadership supports and reinforces a strong, positive company culture, they will be rewarded with the following:

• Decreased turnover
• Enriched workflows
• Stronger engagement
• Increased productivity
• Renewed commitment
• Enhanced performance

This desire that associates display will be a driving force that fuels the organization’s success.

Author Bio

Lisa Reinhardt is the Senior Manager of Learning and Organizational Development at The CCS Companies. With over 22 years of experience in L&D, Lisa has a successful track record of diagnosing, developing, and implementing relevant, innovative learning solutions aligned with business strategies. She demonstrates a passion and drive to help individuals and organizations reach their full potential and achieve their goals. Lisa’s dedication to the professional and personal development of others is her driving force. Connect Lisa Reinhardt