Hugh "Hobby" Barndollar Discusses How to Build a Strong Company Culture from the Ground Up

A strong company culture can be a defining factor in the success of a business. It can attract and retain top talent, foster a positive work environment, and drive business results. But how does one build a strong company culture from the ground up? Below are the key steps and strategies for creating a positive and impactful organizational culture.

Defining Values and the Mission

Defining your values and mission is the first step in building a substantial company culture. The guiding principles should be inl line with your business’s values and mission and should inform everything you do as a company, from hiring decisions to business strategy. Your mission statement should clearly articulate what you aim to achieve as a business and what sets you apart from the competition.

Gather input from employees, customers, and other stakeholders to establish your values and mission. Efforts such as these can ensure that your values and mission are aligned with the needs and expectations of those you serve.

Be the Leading Example

A critical factor in shaping company culture is excellent leadership. Leaders should embody the values and mission of the company and model the behaviors they want to see in their employees. Leading by example means being transparent, collaborative, and respectful, fostering a sense of purpose and passion for the work.

Leaders should also be willing to listen to and act on employee feedback. This can help build trust and foster a sense of ownership and engagement among the workforce.

Hire for Cultural Fit

When building a solid company culture, hiring employees who are a good fit for the organization is essential. To hire someone that best fits the company culture, look beyond technical skills and qualifications and consider personality, values, and work style.

During the hiring process, it can be helpful to ask behavioral questions that can help assess cultural fit. For example, you might ask candidates to explain a time when they went above and beyond for a teammate or customer or to talk about a time when they had to navigate a difficult situation with a coworker.

Build a Sense of Belonging

A strong company culture should foster employees’ sense of belonging and inclusion. Initiatives such as employee resource groups, mentorship programs, and diversity and inclusion training create a sense of belonging in the workplace.

It is also important to celebrate diversity and recognize the unique contributions of each employee, including acknowledging cultural holidays, highlighting employee achievements, and creating cross-functional collaboration and learning opportunities.

Encourage Open Communication

Open communication is essential for building a solid company culture. Employees should feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and feedback with leadership and colleagues. Open communication can be achieved through regular one-on-one meetings, team meetings, and company-wide town halls.

Creating channels for anonymous feedback, such as suggestion boxes or online surveys, is also important. This can help ensure that employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas without fear of retribution.

Foster a Growth Mindset

A strong company culture should encourage a growth mindset among employees. This means embracing challenges, learning from failures, and striving to improve. Leaders should provide opportunities for employees to learn and grow, such as training programs, mentoring, and stretch assignments. Employees should also be encouraged to take risks and pursue new ideas, even if they are not guaranteed success.

Acknowledge & Celebrate Successes

It is crucial to acknowledge and celebrate successes and recognize the hard work of employees. Success celebrations include public recognition, bonuses or other incentives, and team-building activities. Celebrating successes can foster a sense of pride and accomplishment among employees and can reinforce the values and mission of the company.

Building a solid company culture requires an intentional approach. It requires defining values and mission, leading by example, hiring for cultural fit, creating a sense of belonging, encouraging open communication, fostering a growth mindset, and celebrating successes. By following these steps and strategies, businesses can make a positive and impactful organizational culture that drives business success.