Cultivating a Healthy Workplace Culture

Every workplace develops a culture of its own. Whether that culture is nurtured by its management or is derived from the general attitude of its employees, it can have a large effect on a company’s productivity, the employees’ well-being, and its ability to retain employees. Company culture is the overall attitude of an organization and its approach to getting things done. One company might be numbers-driven and require its employees to put extra hours on the clock, while another company might prioritize its employees’ well-being by promoting a hybrid schedule and workplace perks.

Company culture includes both the formal processes involved in promoting this work style as well as the overarching attitude of a workplace that has resulted from these processes. Cultivating a healthy workplace culture has been at the heart of many business strategies for the past few years, as it can have some incredible benefits on the organization as a whole.

Individuals have become more aware of burnout and workplace toxicity, be it through consuming media or experiencing it in their own place of work. The topic of the workplace culture is often one that is brought up in the interview process while the candidate is attempting to figure out whether the organization would be a good fit for them and vice versa. Workplace culture is inherently impacted by the type of environment that management pushes forward, but it can also be affected by the employees you bring on board.

Already-established healthy workplace cultures will help attract the employees you wish to bring to your organization, as well as retain employees who feel they thrive in this environment. While working for the company, these employees will likely feel more appreciated and motivated in their jobs, thus increasing your business’s productivity, innovation, and sales.

How Can Businesses Create a Healthy Workplace Culture?

We’ve discussed the major benefits of healthy workplace cultures, but what specific steps can leaders take to cultivate this in a natural and lasting way?

First, a certain workplace culture cannot be achieved if it has not been defined. Leaders of organizations usually begin their company with certain goals and aspirations in mind. One of these goals should include their ideal workplace culture, especially if they stem from a toxic one themselves. In order to cultivate this healthy culture, it is important to put thought into what you want your workplace culture to be defined by. Then, you can take actionable steps.

One great way to create a healthy workplace is to support your employees and applaud their achievements. While there should be room for constructive criticism meant to benefit your workers, you also need to provide encouragement for them so that they will desire to grow within the company. Without providing this for your employees, they’ll probably feel unappreciated and will not want to contribute to a healthy work environment. Encouragement is a huge part of healthy communication, another desirable trait in the workplace. Leaders should invite open communication in their workplace, as it will lead to a more open culture that allows for cross-collaboration and input from individuals who might not typically be asked for feedback.

Within this open communication, you’ll also create a supportive environment for employees to come to you with concerns. This ultimately helps in your retention goals, as it gives a safe space for workers to discuss their situation with you and create an action plan, if needed, to continue their role in a more productive and beneficial manner.

Cultivating a healthy workplace culture is a goal that is extremely dependent on leadership. Leaders who don’t follow through with their words or who don’t invest in their employees will have a much harder time cultivating a healthy workplace culture than those who are intentional in those areas.