How To Design a Company Culture
Photo by Husna Miskandar on Unsplash
At its core, company culture is the beating heart of any organization. It defines the way we work, communicate, collaborate and has a profound impact on our overall productivity, job satisfaction, and ultimately, our success. While enticing job offers and benefits is what attracts people, ultimately people stay for the culture. So is your company’s culture something you are proud of? If you are not sure here are few tips of how to measure and improve your company’s well being.
Preface
As a founder, when I started an agency, my goal was to create an inclusive and equal workplace. This started with the hiring interview where I always made it clear that it was not an interview but just two people talking. I encouraged candidates to ask me anything they wanted, and I did the same. Transparency has been the foundation of my approach.
The culture of equality extends into decision-making as well. When deciding which clients to take on, we ask ourselves questions like "Do we like the vibe of this potential client?" and "Do we see ourselves spending the next few months with these folks?" I try to make these decisions together with my team as much as possible.
Although I'm still learning, especially when it comes to scaling and adding more people to the team, transparency will always remain a fundamental value.
Create a Strong Foundation
A strong culture is built on a foundation of trust, transparency, and communication. By creating an environment where employees feel valued, respected, and heard, you create a culture where people can be their best selves. Encourage open communication channels and hold regular feedback sessions to gather insights and suggestions from your team. In our agency we have one group call every week and I have a 1-on-1 with every team member weekly. The personal meetings are reserved for not only catching up on projects but also seeing how they are doing outside of work. Are they happy? Overwhelmed? Stressed? Excited? Need time off?
Hire for Culture Fit
Hiring employees who share your values, mission, and vision is crucial for building a culture that reflects those same beliefs. Seek out candidates who have a passion for your industry, are eager to learn and grow, and align with your company's core values. Especially in remote companies. You have to hire people you can trust and those that do not need micromanagement. Our agency is a space of creation. We are not in business of managing people and their time, we bestow and trust that people can manage themselves. Sure, everyone needs help at times but for the most part, in my experience, if you choose right and you give the trust it is usually quantified.
Foster Collaboration
Encourage collaboration by creating opportunities for cross-functional teams to work together. By breaking down silos and encouraging communication, you can create a more innovative and productive work environment. Host team-building activities, social events, and brainstorming sessions to foster a sense of community and togetherness. In our agency 30% of our time is spent working on passion projects. Any team member can bring an idea they had to the table and we can discuss and work on it together if we choose to. This also allows us to hone in on our process further because it gives us room to try new things, play around and stretch our imagination.
Invest in Employee Development
My sacred rule is: Learn as much as you can and grow! If you outgrow our organization I will be eternally happy to be your spring board. If we grow together and you like it here I am happy to share this journey with you. I would never hire someone to capitalize on their time and keep them captive with the illusion of “perks”. Investing in employee development is an investment in your company's future. Offer training and development opportunities that allow your team to learn new skills, expand their knowledge, and grow both personally and professionally. Provide mentorship programs, leadership development programs, and career let them advance.
Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion
Boy, do we love to endlessly talk about DEI in corporate culture. Seems like this talk never ends. But talking must stop and action must begin. Diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords, they are essential for creating a thriving culture. Embrace diversity and celebrate the unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds that each team member brings to the table. Foster an environment where everyone feels welcome, valued, and respected.
Company culture is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and building a thriving culture takes time, effort, and dedication. Best advice is just be human. Break down these dated corporate approaches. Talk to people like humans with emotions, feelings, problems, families and live outside of your organization. They are not an avatar and a list of skills. Behind the resume is a person. Get to know them and make them feel included and invincible, sky’s the limit!
