A decent paycheck won’t cut it for the most valuable workers in today’s employment marketplace. People want more than a rigid paycheck; they also want purpose, connection, and the opportunity to learn/grow.
This is why the significance of company culture cannot be overstated. Here’s how to build a company culture that is attractive to high-profile talent and keeps them happy with your firm for the long haul.
1. Define Your Core Values and Purpose
These determine how people decide, how they relate to one another, and how the business advances. Gallup notes that people who feel connected to their company’s mission and purpose have 1.7 times more engagement, while those engaged with the values of the company have 4.4 times more engagement.
Think about the essence of your business: Maybe it’s creativity, integrity, or teamwork. Once you identify which designs your leadership team cares about, purposefully keep them front and center every day.
2. Create a Culture of Open Communication
Having an open and honest atmosphere promotes trust, empathy, and better teamwork. Businesses with effective communication are 30% more likely to have engaged employees, according to the Harvard Business Review.
Set up regular check-ins, open forums, or even just quick team huddles where ideas can easily be exchanged. Utilize resources like Slack or Teams to encourage communication. When people are empowered to share their perspective and feel as though their voice truly matters, they will give more of themselves in support of the company’s well-being.
3. Lead With Purpose and Empathy
Leaders really shape culture. They’re what makes people not hate their jobs and be willing to stay around. Over half of workers quit jobs because of undesirable bosses, not pay, according to research from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Successful leaders don’t just manage—they lead. They listen, and they cheer and rail for their teams. Aside from that, they intervene, and they get out of the way.
4. Support Growth and Celebrate Wins
Whether you can offer training programs, mentorship, or even just online courses, it gives your team an opportunity to learn new skills and stay motivated. According to a LinkedIn Learning Report, 94% of employees would stay at companies longer if the company invested in their careers.
Recognition is also compelling in building morale. Acknowledging the effort—whether that’s a shoutout during a meeting or giving someone their favorite bottle of wine—helps people feel valued.
5. Encourage Balance and Well-being
A positive company culture recognizes that employees have a life outside of work. Offering flexibility, mental health days, or hybrid solutions can also help. Flexible work options lead to more than 20% increased satisfaction with a job, reports the American Psychological Association.
People become more productive and less stressed when they feel trusted to manage their time. Your business prefers balance, because it demonstrates that your company cares about people beyond just the results.
6. Make Diversity and Inclusion a Priority
It’s not just that diverse workplaces are fairer; they’re also far more creative and more profitable. McKinsey & Company found that companies with diverse leadership teams financially outperform those that are not by 35%.
Making a space more inclusive starts with fair hiring and equal opportunities, but also open conversations. Provide bias training and create cultures that make everyone feel seen and valued. All this is good for culture and creativity.
Building a Culture That Lasts
Developing a great company culture is about action, about empathy, and about a relentless commitment to showing up every day. When you build around people, they will give everything to work.
