Back To Basics: Foundations of A Good Office Culture

When it comes to developing a positive office culture, sometimes it’s best to get back to basics. Fancy toys like ping pong tables or coffee machines won’t make up for missing the mark on the foundations.

Hire The Right Staff

A company is only as good as its staff, so choose wisely. A cohesive, effective team is made up of strong individuals who can work together. During interviews, forego some of those traditional questions for some more off-beat versions. Dig a little deeper to see if the long term goals of the candidate mesh with the company vision. Ask about hobbies to get a feel for your potential new-hire’s personality.

Leadership

Some books, podcasts, online magazines, etc. are totally devoted to the topic of leadership. The truth is, good leadership can be complicated, and there is always room for improvement. There are some tried and true ways to ensure you are on the right track. Earn respect through leading by example – arrive to work early, jump into tasks that may seem below your pay grade, and communicate well.

Gather Feedback

This step is critical, otherwise you won’t know if your approach is working to develop a positive office culture. Gather regular feedback, but don’t make it complicated. Try simple methods like a monthly check in with your staff, survey, or other feedback forms. Accepting feedback also shows you’re open to two-way communication about how things are going.

Celebrate

Did you just land a major client or close a big deal? You couldn’t have done it without your staff, so be sure to thank them appropriately. Teams work together and celebrate together. Use benchmarks like sales goals to keep your team motivated and on target. When goals are reached, it’s time to reap the rewards!

Shaping office culture takes time and energy, but if you start with the basic principles you’ll be off to a great start.