How leadership influences organizational culture
Organizational culture has a big impact on how employees feel about where they work. Learn how to improve engagement by evolving your leadership style.
Your organizational culture not only shapes the way employees work, but also how they feel about where they work. If the culture is positive, so is employee engagement – and vice versa. Employee engagement is critical to both the performance of your business and the customer experience.
Why is organizational culture important?
With the way today’s workplace is evolving, one thing that executives are starting to recognize is the importance of organizational culture to the bottom line. 85% of employees say a supportive workplace culture is important. The motivation to create a thriving culture is there, but the strategies and tools may not be.
Leadership’s effect on culture
Every employee affects an organization’s culture, but leadership is the driving force. What leaders do and say, especially in times of growth or organizational change, influences what employees do, say, and believe.
Despite leaders’ profound impact on culture, they aren’t always culture experts. They’re accustomed to delivering business results, not necessarily defining and sustaining values. This sometimes results in a disconnect with employee priorities. Executives tend to rank tangible elements of culture-building (such as financial performance and compensation) the highest. Meanwhile, employees tend to place the most value on intangibles (such as open communication, employee recognition, and access to leadership).
5 tools for positively impacting culture with leadership
Now that we’ve established not only the importance of organizational culture, but how influential leadership can be on it, let’s discuss how you can begin implementing changes today.
Cultural change doesn’t happen overnight, but these can lay the groundwork for significant changes over time, and help lead to a happier, more cohesive workforce.
#1: Tell a consistent story
Organizational culture depends on a leader’s ability to communicate the company’s core values, mission, and goals. But it is not always easy to keep employees informed and aligned in today’s working environment. The number of remote workers keeps expanding, and information siloes are everywhere in the multi-app world.
A thoughtfully structured workplace experience platform gets everyone on the same page and speaking the same language. It should have a dedicated space for company updates and news. This gives people a central source of company information that’s up to date and accessible, no matter where or when they work.
#2: Be part of the conversation
Keeping employees in the know and sparking meaningful cross-company conversations is just the first step. Then, it’s up to leadership to play an active part in the dialogue.
A digital leadership hub is a space for leaders to tell stories, share ideas, clarify organizational priorities, and invite feedback. From bios and blogs to social media activity and press appearances, it builds a strong connection between all levels of the organization.
Employees get to see the personal and professional side of the leadership team, which fosters stronger connections and a stronger culture. And when people believe their leaders regularly communicate the organization’s core values and beliefs, they feel happier and more valued at work.
#3: Set clear expectations
People perform best when their roles and responsibilities are well-defined by leadership and understood by everyone at the organization. Clarity cuts the confusion and frustration that erodes engagement. For example, a digital employee handbook ensures people have a single source of truth that’s easy to access.
Organizational culture is underpinned by specific policies that set out what is encouraged, discouraged, acceptable, or prohibited at work. An employee handbook enables you to showcase your culture in a visually appealing guide.
#4: Commend positive behavior
Employee recognition has a powerful positive effect on organizational culture, especially when recognition programs are tied to company values.
A culture of recognition bolsters the strength of the wider culture by demonstrating that leaders notice and value people’s efforts. Employee recognition tools help you foster a healthy culture by promoting employee behaviors that reflect organizational values. It’s a one-stop solution for rewarding employees and showcasing company culture.
#5: Foster employee wellbeing
A sense of belonging at work is an integral part of employee wellness. Leaders can build a vibrant culture by creating a digital focal point for the social life of the organization.
By carving out a space for company clubs, activities, events, and more, a social zone encourages human connections and healthy behavior. It unites people across the organization and shows them that their leaders understand the importance of creating a holistic work experience.
Find out how a digital destination can help evolve your organization’s culture
Your digital workplace platform shouldn’t just be a tool. It should be a destination that connects your team and brings your company culture to life. The most effective solutions give your leaders a clear way to be seen and heard across your whole organization. This makes it easy for them to lead by example and spread a positive influence from the top down.
At Appspace, we help you solve your communication, collaboration, and culture challenges. We’ve found that when you want to improve engagement and productivity, there is no better place to start than the top.
