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HKBuild a Winning Team through Workplace Culture
Whether you know it or not, your team has developed an identity. Just as in sports, where a winning culture can dictate success, the same holds true for your organization. In a workplace, culture can be defined as the collective values, attitudes, and beliefs that shape how employees approach their work and interact with one another. Highlighting how important it is, a study from Gallup found that companies with a strong culture experience 29% higher employee engagement. Neglecting to foster a positive atmosphere can have adverse effects, and as an employer, it is important to be intentional about the environment you create.
Why Culture Matters
Culture is more than just a buzzword used to attract candidates. It is created by the people in an organization and dictates how you operate. When team members buy in, it creates a cohesive and motivated group, demonstrated in their actions and quality of work. A report from Deloitte found that organizations with a positive workplace culture have a 40% higher employee retention rate. In addition, they are 16% more likely to see an increase in revenue.
Conversely, not taking steps to foster a positive workplace culture leads to increased turnover, reduced efficiency, and more. In fact, the Society for Human Resource Management discovered that 58% of employees who quit their jobs cite workplace culture as a primary reason. As a result, organizations should give care to the development and maintenance of culture.
Lessons from Sports
Workplaces can learn from the culture of sports teams. Many organizations directly tie culture to their success or failure, and as a result, it has become a growing point of conversation. Teams pride themselves on the identity they create, for example, the NBA’s Miami Heat have developed a “Heat Culture” known for being hardworking, unselfish, and ultimately leading to wins.
When looking at teams like the Heat, many factors define their success that can be replicated. They are deliberate with their culture, setting clear expectations and a long-term vision while consistently reinforcing their goals at all levels. Additionally, leadership styles shown throughout an organization play a crucial role, setting the tone for how team members interact, approach their tasks, and respond to challenges. Finally, accountability within the team ensures that individuals hold each other to a high standard and push one another to improve continuously.
Our Top 5 Tips for Building a Successful Culture
Expanding on the above, there are many ways that companies can establish their culture and build a winning team. We've compiled a few tips to help get you started:
1 - Define your Team’s Purpose: A team’s purpose can be described as its shared goals or mission. In a recent interview with the World Economic Forum, Jagan Chapagain, CEO of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies emphasized that defining a clear purpose gives employees a greater perspective on how their contributions make a difference in a company. By understanding how they are making an impact, employees know what is expected of them daily and feel motivated to put their best foot forward.
2 - Encourage Communication: Open and honest communication is vital to building a strong team bond. Creating an environment in which open dialogue is encouraged and flows freely between team members allows individuals to feel heard and valued, regardless of their seniority. In addition, this approach encourages innovation by allowing employees to share their ideas without fear they will be shut down.
3 - Provide Autonomy: Empowering employees to take ownership of tasks is another important factor when promoting a positive workplace culture. Reports have found that when employees are trusted to manage their responsibilities and make decisions independently, it boosts job satisfaction, encourages creativity, and builds trust. Ensure that employees are held accountable for their actions by clearly communicating expectations and holding them to a high standard.
4 - Implement Culture Initiatives: A successful culture is built upon the foundation of relationships between people. As a result, providing opportunities for employees to get to know each other can be beneficial. Certain initiatives can be implemented that can help encourage this. For example, organizing team-building activities, hosting lunches, and celebrating milestones are effective strategies to reinforce your values and create bonds within a team that carry over to the work environment.
5 - Lead by Example: Ultimately, workplace culture is contingent on how you deliver it by setting an example. Doing so has many benefits. It inspires those around you, sets a benchmark for success, and fosters an environment of accountability. To effectively lead by example, consider the following: get involved with your team by participating in projects and daily activities, model organizational values in your words and actions, clearly communicate expectations, and recognize those who consistently demonstrate excellence. By taking these steps, you can guide your team and create a positive and productive environment.
No matter the size of your team, creating a strong workplace culture can contribute to success. Using the tips we have provided; you can develop a winning team that works well together and drives outcomes for your organization. Remember, culture is continuously evolving and can look different over time. If you are ready to take the next step in building your workplace culture, contact our recruiters today. We can help connect you with talent and solutions that not only fit your culture but enhance it.
