What Makes A Great Team Culture?
Depending on whom you ask, you might find that anything from unlimited vacation to free snacks top the lists of perks that make a job great.
In reality, many employees look for more indefinable benefits.
A study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that nearly three-quarters of employees say “respectful treatment of all employees at all levels” makes them feel most satisfied in their job. Other factors include trust between employees and senior management (64 percent), benefits (63 percent), salary (61 percent), and job security (59 percent).[1]
Still, there are “softer sells” that retail managers and business owners can use to make sure their employees feel valued and productive, including allowing them to feel integrated and providing opportunities for learning.
Hiring People That Fit In
When evaluating candidates, what’s important in addition to skill set are qualities that would allow that individual to work well with others in the group. This means evaluating an applicant’s strengths, values, and working style. Managers want to assess if a candidate will be challenged and find the organization’s work and mission meaningful.
Giving Employees a Say
Fifty-six percent of respondents to SHRM’s survey said that “immediate supervisor’s respect for my ideas” was important to them.[2] Why does this matter? Productivity and output. Of the respondents to a 2014 Harvard Business Review study that said they were treated with respect on the job, 89 percent reported greater satisfaction with their jobs, while 92 percent reported greater focus. What’s more, those with bosses that respected them were more apt to stick around.[3]
Leave the Office
Call it “team-building,” an “off-site,” or even “monthly happy hour.” Whatever the terminology, getting your staff together for a group outing can be a good driver of positive culture, allowing employees to blow off steam, and connect with each other on a more personal level. An American Psychological Association report found that 93 percent of employees who feel valued are motivated to do their best and 88 percent reported feeling engaged.[4]
Give Feedback
No one likes working in a vacuum. In fact, 55 percent of SHRM survey respondents said that “communication between employees and senior management” was important to them.[5] This means having a clear understanding of their strengths, where there is room for improvement, and where in the group they fit in. Proper feedback engenders a feeling of appreciation and engagement.
Ultimately, a strong team culture centers more around the concept of making the right decisions and providing very clear objectives, in which staff works with an understood set of expectations. This type of environment can foster a stronger team mentality and give staffers the tools they need to be successful.
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[1] Society for Human Resource Management, 2015: “Employee Job Satisfaction and Engagement”
[2] Society for Human Resource Management, 2015: “Employee Job Satisfaction and Engagement”
[3] Harvard Business Review, June 30, 2014: “The Power of Meeting Your Employees’ Needs”
[4] American Psychological Association, March 8, 2012: “APA Survey Finds Feeling Valued at Work Linked to Well-Being and Performance”
[5] Society for Human Resource Management, 2015: “Employee Job Satisfaction and Engagement”