Cultivating Company Culture: Strategies for Post-pandemic Growth and Productivity By Dr. Suzanne Bright, CEO, Orca Solutions
R
emember Jenga, the popular block-stacking game where players take turns strategically removing blocks from and placing them on top of a tower? As the game progresses, the structure becomes taller and less stable, with players ever-so-carefully trying to make just one more move without causing the tower to tumble.
There is no denying that being a business owner in the age of COVID-19 may some days feel like that game of Jenga. Grappling with so much uncertainty as disruption continues can be unnerving. However, it may also be an opportunity to build something even more solid for the future. As organizations around the world work to find creative new ways to serve their communities and retain clients, another priority has also been revealed for many of these same organizations. More than ever, creating a healthy workplace culture and supporting the psychological needs of employees is critical to running a company that can not only survive this pandemic, but thrive during and after it. With this in mind, here are six strategies for maintaining a strong work culture while so much of the world is in flux.
[
When so much of the world feels uncertain, honest communication will go a long way toward quelling employees’ fears.
appreciate knowing how the company is faring, where it is heading, and how they will be impacted. Leaders should consider sharing the “whys” behind decisions, giving employees enough information to feel confident in the decisions of the leaders.
Research shows that this type of transparency improves perceptions of trust and that leaders perceived to have good intentions are more likely to be trusted, even if their decisions ultimately turn out to be wrong.
Trust doesn’t happen overnight; it takes intentional focus and commitment to build a high-trust work environment.
2. Make listening a priority
How are your employees feeling? What is weighing on them? What ideas do they have for the workplace? What matters to them? What do they feel they need to do their work successfully?
Can you say you know the answers to questions like these?
[ ]
Set aside time for individuals and groups to talk about their current work experiences and share ideas.
1. Nurture a culture of trust
Trust among leaders and colleagues is foundational to a high-performing culture of success. When so much of the world feels uncertain, honest communication will go a long way toward quelling employees’ fears and building trust in company leaders.
Challenging times call for more frequent and more compassionate communication. Employees
VGM Playbook: Protecting Your Most Important Asset: Your People
]
Whether meeting in the conference room or virtually, set aside time for individuals and groups to talk about their current work experiences and share constructive feedback and ideas. Listen with empathy and genuine curiosity. It not only affords you valuable information but also communicates an important message to your employees—that they belong and they matter. Ensuring that employees feel heard is a critical step in building an effective workplace culture, particularly in times of crisis.
Cultivating Company Culture... | 15
