Workplace culture is an inextricable component of the workplace experience. But the failure to intentionally create and nurture it can create extreme dissatisfaction for everyone and wreak havoc on the organization as a whole.
How would you characterize the culture where you work? Has it contributed to morale and the vigor with which you and your colleagues work? If so, congratulations! If not, taking a closer look at the beliefs, customs, values, behaviors, goals, and expectations being promoted (consciously and unconsciously) in your place of business is likely in order.
If you’re not sure, consider the following words of wisdom in the context of your workplace experience:
1. “You have to be a place that is more than a paycheck for people.” —Rick Federico, P.F. Chang’s
2. “Engaging the hearts, minds, and hands of talent is the most sustainable source of competitive advantage.” —Greg Harris, Quantum Workplace
3. “To win in the marketplace, you must first win in the workplace.” —Doug Conant, Campbell Soup Company
4. “If you are lucky enough to be someone’s employer, then you have a moral obligation to make sure people do look forward to coming to work in the morning.” —John Mackey, Whole Foods
5. “When people are financially invested, they want to return. When they are emotionally invested, they want to contribute.” —Simon Sinek, Speaker/Author
6. “Your number-one customers are your people. Look after employees first and then customers last.” —Ian Hutchinson, author of People Glue
7. “There are only three measurements that tell you nearly everything you need to know about your organization’s overall performance: employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and cash flow. It goes without saying that no company, small or large, can win over the long run without energized employees who believe in the mission and understand how to achieve it.” —Jack Welch, former CEO of GE
8. “Culture is about performance and making people feel good about how they contribute to the whole.” —Tracy Streckenbach interview, Clear Goals Matter More than Mission, The New York Times
9. Â “Connect the dots between individual roles and the goals of the organization. When people see that connection, they get a lot of energy out of work. They feel the importance, dignity, and meaning in their job.” —Ken Blanchard and Scott Blanchard, Do People Really Know What You Expect From Them? (Fast Company)
10. “Everyone enjoys doing the kind of work for which he is best suited.” —Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich
11. “Research indicates that workers have three prime needs: interesting work, recognition for doing a good job, and being let in on things that are going on in the company.” —Zig Ziglar, Author/Salesman/Motivational Speaker
12. “Always treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers.” —Stephen R. Covey, Author/Keynote Speaker
To your success!
Karima Mariama-Arthur, Esq. is founder and CEO of WordSmithRapport, an international consulting firm specializing in professional development. Follow her on Twitter: @wsrapport or visit her website, www.wordsmithrapport.com.