Creating a Positive Work Environment

Simple Steps to Build a Great Organizational Culture

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of being a part of various work environments, each with its unique culture and dynamics. But it’s at my current employer where I’ve truly observed the essence of a positive organizational culture. Every day, I witness firsthand how certain practices and attitudes shape a workplace that’s not only productive but also uplifting and supportive for all.

In this blog, I’ll share some simple steps based on my observations, offering insights into how any organization can cultivate a culture that motivates, supports, and nurtures its members. I am going to purely talk about my observations with my current working environment.

Role of Leadership Teams in Shaping Culture

Vision and Direction, Lead by Example, Resource Allocation

I’m currently enrolled in an MBA program, and sometimes when I’m struggling to connect the dots between theory and real-world application, I turn to a Senior Director from another business unit. He always offers invaluable insights from his vast experience. See where I’m going with this? Even though our company has multiple teams, this isn’t the first time I’ve sought and received guidance. Everyone here supports one another, both professionally and personally. They genuinely try to connect on a personal level. Because, without such bonds, it’s challenging to unite as one cohesive team. While there might be several smaller groups, the company as a whole is one big team.

When I first started at my current job, I noticed a former colleague who had moved to my previous company. He posted about a significant milestone from my current company, along with a token of appreciation he received. Can you see the bigger picture here? In many places, once an employee leaves, that chapter closes. But at our company, our HR and Admin teams went the extra mile to send an appreciation token to someone who had left months ago, truly valuing his contributions even after his departure.

At first, I was puzzled by the idea of not reporting every detail of my work. I was used to constantly updating my operational leads on all my tasks. However, their response was enlightening. They emphasised that everyone fully owns their work, and instead of micromanaging, they place their trust in us to deliver.

I admire how leaders at WSO2 support each other without seeking attention or credit. True leaders focus on the bigger goal, not just the applause.

Role of Other Employees in Shaping Culture

Living the Culture, Feedback Loop, Peer-to-Peer Influence & Organic Culture Development

In the previous section, I mentioned how we connect on a personal level. Everyone often invites their closest colleagues to celebrate special occasions. Plus, we embark on trips almost every month, usually organized informally among us. The idea is, when the culture is right, you don’t need to wait for the company to plan these outings. Though organizing a trip for the entire company can be a bit tricky to manage, our smaller teams are always encouraged to take frequent outings together.

Employees confidently voice their beliefs here. We value open communication, and company strategies are shared transparently via email. These strategy updates are insightful and foster a sense of pride and satisfaction in our company. Nothing is immune from questioning.

Whenever a change is on the horizon, our HR & Admin Team seeks suggestions and feedback from employees via online form submissions. While the leadership team lays the foundation, everything else comes together like perfectly placed building blocks.

In many companies, when an employee leaves, their former teammates often lose touch with them. But in our company, I’ve noticed that even ex-employees join our informal gatherings, and we continue to stay connected through an informal communication channel.

Final Remark

In conclusion, successful organizational culture is truly a collaborative effort between leadership and ground-level employees. While leadership sets the tone and direction, it’s the everyday actions of all employees that determine the practical manifestation of that culture.
Change management, while often initiated by leadership, is most successful when it’s a collaborative process that involves and considers all levels of the organization 🧡

There’s so much I’d like to share about my company’s culture and how it might inspire yours. Yet, a single blog post can’t capture it all.

The company tree where our our palms ✋ were placed on a certain event.