Creating a successful company culture can be difficult. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to whether or not a company or organization has a stellar culture, as the situation and environment of each organization are unique. To accomplish this task, companies need to get the “buy-in” of their employees. The employees must have faith in the organization's values and goals and must feel comfortable and confident in the way it operates. Without this buy-in, creating the right type of culture becomes more difficult, and in some cases nearly impossible. On the other hand, when you empower employees to take ownership of their work, you not only have a great company culture, but you also have a more productive workforce. That combination of skills is a real asset to any employer. Here are five ways to empower your employees with the goal of creating a great company culture.
Listen to your team
You cannot effectively address your employees' concerns unless you know their problems. Your team wants to feel that they're being listened to and that what they say matters. What an employee hates is to feel undervalued or overlooked. If an employee expresses a concern, listen closely and take proactive steps toward resolving the issue.
Communicate Often and Well
It's impossible to over-emphasize the importance of communication between an employer and its employees. Without proper communication, employees may begin to feel neglected and not a part of a team. Keeping an open line of communication between employer and employee is not only great for company culture but helps employees feel like valued assets of the team.
Understand their priorities and values
An employee's priorities and values serve as fuel for their empowerment. Knowing what drives your team will help you put them in a position that leans on their talents and falls in line with their values.
Show Respect
Today's workers want to know that they are respected by their employers, and this includes respect from their bosses and coworkers. No one wants to be another cog in the machine. When an employee feels valued they are more likely to perform at a high level and take ownership of their job.
Make Trust the Cornerstone of the Culture
An organization's employees must trust it if the company has any hope of creating a great company culture. This is a top-down endeavor that begins with management first, then the rest will fall into place. What does it look like for management to take the first step in trust? One thing it means is no micro-managing. This type of management style reduces worker autonomy and employee confidence. Be more concerned that the job gets done, not how it gets done.