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Tips to Improve Organizational Culture

Organizational Culture is included as one of the 13 factors that impact workplace mental health according to the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. The concept of organizational culture seems to be trending lately, with phrases like “toxic organizational culture” and “building organizational culture” being hot topics. However, what exactly is it?

Organizational culture includes the values and beliefs that are shared throughout the whole organization. It influences how things are done within the company and affects everyone who contacts the organization. It impacts how people communicate, how people are recognized, and shapes policies that impact the degree of inclusivity in workplace. Organizations that have a culture of inclusivity usually do so by building safety for their employees; both physical and psychological. Therefore, creating belonging and safety can be an integral part of improving organizational culture. Here are three ways to create safety within the workplace.

  1. Make sure everyone has a voice: Many successful workplace cultures encourage input from all group members. Examine your current workplace environment and look for ways you can elicit input and bring suggestions to leaders no matter how controversial, without judgment. Some teams implement routines that make space for everyone say something during meetings so that all people can get a chance to contribute. Another example is the use of a suggestion box where leaders can read suggestions from staff, implement appropriate suggestions, and credit staff for their suggestions. This creates an environment where individuals feel like their voice makes a difference.
  2. Create safe, collision-rich spaces: Positive social interaction is an effective way of coping with work-related stress and building connections. Creating spaces for people to meet and interact within the workplace can increase team cohesion and creativity and transform organizational culture. The way the workplace is designed – the spacing of desks, office walls, central eating places and even bathrooms is important. Companies can also create intentional activities where employees spend time with each other away from their desks during the workday.
  3. Preview Future Connection: Many successful groups and organizations create a connection between the now and the future for their members. This allows people to know where they are headed and allows them to imagine what the future would look like within the organization. This can be something as simple as letting an employee know that a successful person within the organization started in the same position as that said employee.

References:

  1. Coyle, D. The Culture Code. Bantam, 2018
  2. 2.Taylor, Anthony. “Organizational Culture Best Practices and Examples.” YouTube, uploaded by SME Strategy Management Consulting, 4 March 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC5msE1ITwQ
  3. The National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace