VISION
Finding Your
Cultural Compass
Follow these three
guidelines for building
a strong internal
company culture.
Internal culture can be an indicator of not just employee satisfaction,
but also company success. Just look at Silicon Valley giant Google, which
embeds innovation into company culture. Or consider shoe retailer
Zappos, which has woven culture into its mission, embracing creativity,
change, and determination.
The key for these positive work environments, which often lead to
happier employees and stronger performance, is found in a company’s
shared vision, values, and artifacts, or practices.
Focus on these points when evaluating or establishing company culture:
ÎCLEARLY
Î
COMMUNICATE THE COMPANY VISION OR MISSION.
How and where are you growing, and what is the purpose of the
business? These questions will guide decisions internally and show
customers or clients what stands at the heart of the company.
ÎCHOOSE
Î
VALUES THAT GUIDE AND SUPPORT YOUR BUSINESS.
Values should be meaningful and realistic, not just pretty on paper. Each
employee should be able to relate to and use these values as guiding prin-
ciples for decision-making and to ensure a quality product or experience.
ÎESTABLISH
Î
PRACTICES THAT SUPPORT THE VISION AND
VALUES. What artifacts support the shared values and ideas?
Consider physical environment, company policies, rewards systems,
and other visible characteristics of your company that align with
the vision. For example, Sterling National Bank created an internal
culture team to champion best practices related to culture. Embed
practices that bring your values to life in the workplace.
UNCOVER THE KEYS TO HAPPINESS AT WORK
MORE IS BETTER. At least, that’s the maxim we’re led to believe. But how does this apply to work satisfaction? If we work
harder and for longer hours, will we necessarily be happier?
For some researchers, our level of satisfaction relies on how we define success—and how we find happiness.
Uncovering intrinsic motivation, or motivation that comes from within, may lead to greater satisfaction than extrinsic
motivation, or that which comes from outside sources, like money.
FIND WHAT YOU ENJOY AND DO IT
OFTEN. If you like what you’re doing
and are good at it, you’ll likely achieve
mastery over time. Doing something
you enjoy will likely lead to greater
happiness. Often, money and success
will follow.
PRACTICE MINDFULNESS AT WORK.
Put aside the growing to-do list and focus
just on the task at hand. Maintaining a
single focus, whether at work or home,
increases productivity and will leave
you feeling more accomplished than
attempting to multitask.
ADOPT A POSITIVE MINDSET. Let go
of an overly self-critical mindset and
you’re more likely to learn from your
own mistakes and thrive in the face of
challenge. Show compassion to those
around you and reap the benefits
of supportive working relationships.
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