Small Business Imperative-Fostering a Healthy & Productive Workplace Culture

If you are currently striving to grow your small business, you are likely considering how to increase your organization’s productivity.  Your workplace culture has everything to do with that, if you take only one thing from this article let it be that.  Here is why.  Workplace culture shapes the behavior, job satisfaction and performance of your workforce.  If you have a healthy culture those behaviors will be positive, job satisfaction will be high and performance will drive successful outcomes for your business.  An unhealthy culture will absolutely have the opposite effect and will make it that much harder for your small business to succeed in an already tough landscape.  With that in mind, let’s review the vital components of a high-performance healthy workplace culture.

Define the Principles or ideals you want guide the behavior and decision-making of your team…Core Values

Core Values are the foundation of your workplace culture.  As a small business leader, you have values you operate under both from a personal moral perspective and as a business leader in your community.  If you want to build a strong culture in your workplace the personal and professional values you hold dear have to become part of everyday life in your organization.  To do this, these core values must be articulated as principles of the company and as expected behavior from every member of your team extending to you and any other leadership on that team.  These defined values should be consistently woven into every aspect of your company’s operations.

Principled Leadership based on core values is a game changer for healthy culture adoption throughout your company

If you approach your company’s culture with a “do as I say, not as I do” attitude, nothing else you do will move the needle.  You must stick to and demonstrate core values consistently in every area of leadership.  Leadership is a privilege but that does not mean it is easy.  It can be difficult to remain steadfast at times.  Never the less, you as the leader of your team must always embody the core values you have set for your organization if you expect your employees to do the right thing regardless of the circumstances.  Your actions in the toughest situations are what will inspire your team to follow suit.

Be transparent about your expectations and make communication at your organization a two-way street

Encouraging open and honest communication is absolutely essential to your cause because it fosters trust between you and your team members.  This trust will form a framework of ongoing communication that inspires loyalty and commitment and motivates employees to go above and beyond in their work.  But the framework you build must be a two-way street.  You as their leader must not only articulate your expectations clearly, but actively listen to your team’s concerns and expectations.  Creating open communication means allowing your team members to share their ideas, voice their concerns and collaborate effectively without fear of negative repercussions.  When employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns openly, it creates an environment where new ideas can flow freely and innovation can thrive.  Open dialogue will help to identify and resolve issues before they escalate and promote a sense of belonging and accountability.  Additionally, transparency in communication at your organization enhances your team’s engagement and satisfaction translating to individuals on your team feeling valued and heard.  Ultimately, a culture of honest communication will strengthen relationships, align your business goals and drive your organizational success, making it a foundational element of your high productivity healthy workplace culture.

Reward Culture Contributions

In addition to individual and team performance, reward members of your team who demonstrate your core values in the workplace.  As I mentioned earlier in this article, core values must be part of every aspect of your operation.  So, when an individual or a team within your organization engages with your core values do not miss the opportunity to recognize these traits and actions as a win for the company.  Recognition will go a long way to reinforcing the values that underpin your workplace culture as well as boosting morale.  Make your workplace culture a ”Culture of Appreciation.”

Encourage Collaboration & Teamwork

It seems almost unnecessary for me to note that teamwork and collaboration in your workforce are key factors in the success of your business.  But it is important to also note that they are key elements to creating a healthy productive workplace culture.  Collaboration and teamwork are the glue that holds your organization’s workplace community together.  It is therefore imperative that in your everyday operations there is room for your team to engage with one another.  Making this a priority creates a sense of belonging among the team and leverages the diverse backgrounds, skills and perspectives that are just waiting to be discovered.  This leverage leads to more innovative solutions and advanced problem-solving.  In addition, your investment in collaboration will promote mutual support and shared goals, (the goals you aim to reach,) leading to a highly productive workforce.  One last bonus teamwork creates is that much like the core values of your company, teamwork actually builds resilience in times of challenge!

A Fluid Culture Means You Must Assess & Adapt Over Time

Your workplace culture is now and will continue to be fluid.  It will evolve over time and to keep it healthy and strong you must be willing to engage with what is working and what is not.  Be willing to adapt and make necessary changes to process, communication channels and even personnel based on the insights you gather from open communication.  A proactive approach will demonstrate to your team that you are committed to continuous improvement in their workplace culture.

A strong workplace culture is vital for any small business striving for success.  However, fostering a positive workplace culture is an ongoing journey that requires commitment, effort and some humble adaptability.  By defining and communicating your core values, encouraging open communication and investing emotionally in your team, you can create an environment where people and productivity thrive, and your company prospers.