It's difficult for a company to succeed without a strong team culture. People can have varied opinions about what team culture means, further complicating its definition and implementation in the workplace.
Generally speaking, team culture is how well all the employees work together and get along, as well as the shared values and ideas.
A company is more than its output, products, and profits. Every employee plays an integral role in its success and should be appreciated.
Unfortunately, that's not always the case. When team culture starts to break down, so does the company's internal structure.
What begins as a hairline crack can quickly and easily grow into a chasm. However, a healthy team culture has multiple benefits, ranging from increased productivity and better profits to decreased turnover and improved communication.
Understanding team culture can mean the difference between exceptional success, stagnant results, and epic failure.
6 Strategies for Enhancing Team Culture
Constructing strategies, such as these six, can provide you with a road map for great team culture at your workplace.
1. Foster Communication and Transparency
Outstanding communication is one of the most significant ways to improve team culture, but it can't only be between employees.
Everyone at every level – the boss included – should practice open communication.
Assumptions lead to concerns, gossip, and misinterpretations, whereas open communication allows employees to trust that there isn't information they're allowed to know but aren't being told.
Encouraging an environment where everyone can speak freely (as long as it's respectful) helps build a solid foundation.
A million decisions are happening within a business on any given day. Transparency about the most important decisions is crucial, especially regarding the reasons behind the determinations.
For instance, no one needs to know why you switched brands of paperclips, but they should be told why overtime is temporarily suspended.
Implementing a positive team culture first starts with establishing an incredible organizational culture.
2. Establish Clear Goals and Expectations
Employees can improve when they have clear expectations and goals for their position.
Explain what you expect from them regarding their role and responsibilities as employees and team members.
Be clear about key performance indicators (KPIs), such as how much quarterly net sales they need to generate.
3. Promote Collaboration and Team Bonding
Team-building activities and workshops can improve team culture, but choose options that employees will want to do.
For example, establish a kickball team or go together to escape rooms. Give employees a vote about activities.
Consider bringing other departments in on the fun. It's an excellent way to encourage better relations within the company, which can lead to improved collaboration and open communication.
4. Show Recognition and Appreciation
A boss needs to recognize their employees' efforts and show appreciation if they want to boost team culture.
Employees need to feel valued, such as through acknowledgment of achievements and positive feedback.
Employee recognition programs can also be helpful, as can implementing surprises as a generalized "thank you" for their efforts.
For instance, a once-a-month breakfast buffet and regular, easy access to delicious candy they like are wonderful ways to show gratitude.
5. Prioritize Work-Life Balance and Employee Well-being
Employees who have great work/life balance and aren't overworked, exhausted, and stressed can do a lot for your company's morale, team culture, and productivity.
Showing your employees they're more than a means to money is vital. Options like flexible work arrangements can be a big help, especially for caregivers.
Promoting and encouraging mental health awareness, such as offering mental health days and providing monetary support for therapy, shows your seriousness about employee well-being.
6. Embrace Diversity and Inclusion
Regardless of race, religion, etc., everyone should feel they have a place at your company.
They need to feel accepted for who they are and their efforts, thanks to an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion with zero tolerance for hatred and discrimination.
Provide diversity training and education initiatives. More importantly, be an example of inclusivity.
Implementing and Sustaining Positive Changes
Some changes will go over well, but others might not. What matters most is doing what's best for your employees, your company's values, and the direction you want the business to go.
While planning the changes, don't forget to determine strategies to make it easier for employees who aren't thrilled about the modifications.
You should also choose ways to effectively monitor all the changes, such as allowing anonymous employee feedback and suggestions.
It provides invaluable information about how well the changes work while considering your employee's thoughts, feelings, and ideas.
Add Some Sweetness to Your Team's Culture
What does a bowl of candy have to do with improving team culture? You may be surprised.
Delicious candy is much more desirable than stale coffee and day-old bagels, so expect employees to make frequent stops to grab a sweet treat.
It's a chance to communicate candidly with colleagues and encounter new people, which are both excellent for networking.
Candy is an easy conversation starter about everything from their favorite candy when they were kids to how they currently use it in desserts.
It's also a cost-effective way to show employees you care, especially if the candy is consistently available.
Get Started with Your Deskgoodies Candy Subscription Today
Let's start improving your company's team culture. Sign up for a Deskgoodies candy subscription plan today.
Choose from the many available brand-name candies, ranging from sweet Swedish Fish to creamy Reese's that will conveniently arrive to you monthly.
Our reliable delivery service saves you time and stress from shopping in person.
Your starter kit includes an attractive clear candy bowl that keeps the treats in sight and encourages everyone to grab a quick snack whenever they pass by. (Good thing refilling it is easy, too!)
Yes, improving team unity (in part) to boost workplace productivity can be as easy as ensuring everyone has candy they love throughout their work day.
It's a small token of appreciation that shows you're listening to what your employees want and working on improving the company culture.
Contact Deskgoodies today, and let's talk about all the candies we have available and how delicious confections can help improve your company and its team culture.
Shop our easy-to-use website for customizable tiers or pre-packaged options. Have questions? Our wonderful customer service team is excited to help. We'll typically respond within one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the benefits of a positive team culture?
There is no shortage of benefits of establishing a positive and healthy team culture.
Better communication, improved collaboration, increased trust levels, better profits, and lower turnover are only some of the possibilities.
How can I improve communication within my team?
Give employees a reason to communicate. Many will open up if they feel they can trust those with whom they're communicating.
For example, have regular check-ins with employees where it doesn't involve bad news, it's just to see how they're doing.
What role does leadership play in shaping team culture?
Employees need to have a boss they can trust. Exceptional leadership can foster positive behaviors within the company, including productivity and interactions. Your employees could easily become a reflection of you.