Why are some teams harmonious, while others are torn apart by chaos? The answer may well lie in the company culture.
But hold on, this isn’t a mystery to be solved by the human resources department alone! Culture can never, ever be solely a human resources issue. It must be everyone’s business, starting with leaders and managers, and from there, it must spread throughout the entire company.
The power of culture
We need to understand that culture is not just an abstraction or a set of values written on a wall. It is a reflection of how we work, how we interact, what we believe, our standards and our behaviours. It is the common thread that unites every member of the organisation in a single momentum. If it is strong and positive, it becomes a catalyst for success.
To achieve excellence, an organisation must focus on the intersection between people and culture, between individual performance and corporate strategy. This is where the key to success lies, because it is undeniable that the success of individuals and the success of the company are two sides of the same coin.
Commitment from everyone
For company culture to function at its full potential, it is imperative that every individual is committed and working towards the same goal. Everyone must be willing to row in the same direction to keep the ship moving forward. This means that culture is designed, created, embodied and celebrated by everyone in the company: leaders, managers and employees.
Culture is shaped and structured by senior management, embodied by middle management, and reinforced and felt by everyone else. It is a dynamic process that requires the involvement of everyone at every level of the organisation.
Motivating managers and employees
So how can we motivate managers and employees to actively engage in creating and maintaining a positive corporate culture? Here are some tips for human resources professionals:
- Communicate the vision: Share the company’s vision and goals for culture. Show how they are linked to the overall success of the company.
- Training and development: Offer training and development programmes focused on corporate culture so that managers and employees understand the importance of their role.
- Recognition and rewards: Implement recognition and reward systems for those who embody the company’s cultural values. This will encourage adherence to the culture.
- Exemplary leadership: Leaders must be the first to set an example when it comes to culture. Their commitment and behaviour will influence others.
- Constructive feedback: Encourage open dialogue about culture within the organisation. Gather feedback regularly to drive continuous improvement.
- Celebrate cultural successes: Organise events and celebrations to highlight achievements and behaviours that align with the company culture.
Ultimately, a company’s culture cannot be confined to the human resources department. It must be embraced and championed by every individual within the organisation. By working together, we can create a strong, positive corporate culture that is conducive to success for all.
