ByCompany culture has become a focus area for many businesses in recent years. Given the traumatic event that COVID-19 brought to the world, it’s no surprise that companies are emphasizing their employees’ wellbeing, but are you inadvertently damaging your culture without knowing?
Culture is a critical aspect of any organization. The shared values, beliefs, and behaviors shape how people interact and work together. However, specific actions can harm culture, decreasing productivity, morale, and overall performance. This article aims to shed light on some of these counterproductive behaviors, providing insights and suggestions on how to avoid them. So, sit back, take a moment to reflect, and consider how you can contribute to building a positive and thriving culture in your workplace. And don’t worry, no one gets it perfect!
Let’s dive into it.
Poor Communication
So many companies worldwide must communicate how they should, leaving employees feeling neglected, undervalued, and demotivated.
Effective communication is about more than conveying information or giving instructions. It is equally important to ensure that employees understand the broader goals and objectives of the organization they are working for. Every team member is invested in the success and future direction of the company. As a leader, you need to communicate the company’s vision, mission, and overall strategy to your employees in a way that inspires them to take ownership of their roles and contribute to the organization’s success. Additionally, employees seek to know if there are opportunities for growth and development, a sense of pride and belonging, and job security in their current role. By addressing these areas and fostering an environment of open communication, you can establish a high-performing, motivated, and engaged team that will help take your organization to new heights.
Lack of recognition
Everybody wants to be seen and this ties nicely into the point above regarding communication. Sometimes, you will get those workers who genuinely don’t care about recognition or approval and will continue to work hard because it’s in their nature, but they’re a rare breed and giving praise where praise is due surely is a no-brainer?
One of the crucial responsibilities you have as a leader is to understand the needs and perspectives of your team members. It’s essential to put yourself in their shoes and think about how you would feel in their place. For example, if you were putting in a lot of effort on a project, but nobody acknowledged your hard work, how would that make you feel? Would you continue to work with the same passion and commitment, or would you start to feel demotivated and disheartened?
It’s important to recognize that people need validation and appreciation for their efforts. When employees feel that their work is valued and recognized, they are more likely to stay motivated, engaged, and committed to their tasks. On the other hand, when their efforts go unnoticed or unacknowledged, it can be demoralizing and discouraging.
Therefore, as a leader, you must make an effort to acknowledge and appreciate the work of your team members. Recognize their contributions, and let them know that their efforts are valued and appreciated. When employees feel seen and heard, they are more likely to stay motivated and strive for excellence in their work.
Management Style: Micromanagement
Have you ever been micromanaged at work? While some people may appreciate a tightly managed work setting that provides them with clear direction and guidance, micromanagement is generally viewed as a negative approach to management that can lead to feelings of resentment and mistrust among employees. When managers micromanage, they often give the impression that they don’t trust their employees to do their jobs properly and feel the need to closely scrutinize their every move. This can be demotivating for employees and can lead to a decrease in productivity.
Finding a balance between providing guidance and support while also allowing employees to take ownership of their work and make their own decisions goes a long way in terms of company culture.
Neglecting Employee Wellbeing
In the modern workplace, employee well-being has emerged as a crucial topic of discussion. It is a well-known fact that the physical and mental health of employees has a direct impact on their productivity and job satisfaction. As an employer, it is essential to understand that an unhealthy work environment can lead to poor performance, low morale, and high staff turnover rates. Therefore, investing in the wellbeing of your employees is not only the right thing to do but also a smart business decision in the long run. By prioritizing employee wellbeing, you can create a culture of positivity, motivation, and engagement that can ultimately lead to increased productivity and profits.
There is a lot you can offer employees to boost their wellbeing: mental health days, schemes that promote healthy lifestyles (such as cycle to work), gym memberships, provide healthy snacks in the office, therapeautic support (whether fully provided or subsidised) and so much more.
If all of this sounds too much to implement, you can always seek help from company culture consultants. These consultants can examine your specific organization and provide tangible recommendations.
