Today, many managers and leaders can uniquely shape, cement, and leverage their company cultures to create the most significant impact for their organizations. As a result, organizational culture is one of the company’s most integral differentiators. 

The two years of the pandemic were sickening and quite terrifying for all of us. At that time, remote work existed, and people started working from home. However, chances were that office life would never be the same for them again. This meant they wouldn’t receive the direction, guidance, and coaching from leaders they used to get. 

So, how can leaders manage and sustain the workplace culture during/ after such cataclysmic times? How can they handle the workplace culture by design rather than default? 

Well, here’s a guide for the same. Read on to know more about how a leader can manage the company culture!  

 

What Is Company Culture? 

We wish to begin by discussing that culture is ever-present and constantly evolving within every company. It is not something which is obtained. Instead, it is shaped by the behaviors of people working in the organization. 

In addition, culture is created organically and by every employee’s diverse backgrounds, communication styles, beliefs, and much more. While many companies tend to define work culture through perks, like free lunches, flexibility, etc. However, they seem to be missing the point entirely.

Even many studies show that companies prioritizing company culture can boost their revenue compared to those who don’t actively work to improve it. 

Given what we know, it’s vital to consider the company’s values, behaviors, and goals. Doing this will certainly improve the company’s culture!  

 

Significance Of Sustaining Company Culture During COVID-19

Being an integral part of corporate training, company culture is always important. However, changes in how we work and communicate imply that it’s essential for leaders to consider the effect this can have on culture and how it can be preserved.

Since COVID-19, many employees have remote working environments, making it harder to see what staff is doing daily. As a result, validating positive behaviors has become much more complex. 

Interestingly, creating a culture is adaptive in real-time. Therefore, leaders must continue cultivating a happy and motivated culture through Zoom meetings, internal messaging tools, etc. 

As a manager, if you aren’t aware of your company culture, new situations can take a toll, thus affecting it. Therefore, you must find a way to solidify shared beliefs, organizational values, and behaviors. 

To summarize, culture is ‘what people do when no one is looking’. So, you must lead the team to do the right thing, contribute to the organizational goals, and work towards shared goals and values, irrespective of working from home or the office. 

 

How To Sustain The Company Culture 

When we say company culture, the first thing that comes to mind is how we work and communicate. Thus, business communication is also integral to managing and sustaining a company culture. 

And there’s a lot one can do to improve their organizational culture. Of course, the pandemic has been full of uncertainties and challenges. But there are things a leader can implement to ensure that the staff working with them have a common goal. 

So, here are some ways to sustain the company culture. 

  • Practice Effective Communication

Suppose employees are at home instead in the office. Thus, leaders and upper management need to discuss the culture openly. In addition, the leaders must communicate what they expect from the employees regarding work, following company values, and exhibiting positive behavior. 

People don’t necessarily understand something they cannot see. Thus, clarity in communication and expectations is crucial. This includes holding the staff accountable and identifying and rewarding the employees who maintain the company culture.

 

  • Enhancing Overall Communication Strategy 

Employers must prioritize employee relations and engagement. Communicating with your staff is vital, such as setting up periodic meetings with direct management, etc. This will allow you to actively discuss culture and the company’s vision and goals whilst carving out time for managers to understand what their team needs and when. 

So, checking in frequently will help your employees remain connected and give them a platform when they need assistance. Moreover, you need to decide on the best way to communicate, whether through a direct messaging channel, like emails, Zoom calls, etc., or a combination of each. 

  • Hiring Resilient People 

Hiring resilient staff right can help improve productivity, efficiency, and company culture. An energetic team is flexible, adaptable and will dig deep when the going gets tough. 

So, next time you hire for the company, find someone who fits the bill, as they can enact positive change within the organization, thus maintaining an optimistic work culture. 

  • Set Goals For Your Employees

Prepare your team for victory by giving them goals and checkpoints to work toward. A remote working environment can be a bit distracting. So, setting aside achievable expectations allows them to stay on the task at hand, thus feeling proud of their achievements throughout the day when they tick off a goal on their lists. 

  • Celebrate Collaboration

Collaboration can help the staff to feel a sense of purpose and belonging. In addition, joint projects give them both a social outlet and a way to use their skills and knowledge for the organization’s good. 

Moreover, the collaboration also encourages knowledge sharing, and nothing brings a sense of purpose to an employee more than being able to help their teammates by sharing unique and fresh perspectives. 

  • Consider A Flexible Working Environment 

Given the changes in the work environment during COVID-19, employees have started valuing flexibility. The employee’s ability to change their working hours in accordance with what’s happening around them is vital. 

Thus, the pandemic has highlighted the significance of working flexibly.

  • Giving Feedback To The Staff

Many reports show that employees consider recognition a critical aspect of support. Not only does recognition allow employers to feel acknowledged, valued, and appreciated, but it also increases motivation, self-confidence, and pride. As a result, all of this improves the company culture!      

  • Trust Your Employees 

Regardless of whether or not there is a pandemic, trust is ingrained in the company’s culture. When employees don’t feel trusted, they tend to disengage from work. While handing over the reins in a remote working environment can be challenging, leaders must understand the positive power of trusting their team. 

So, if you can give your employees some space and freedom to work proactively and productively without having someone to look over their shoulder, you will witness a greater level of work achieved and mutual respect gained. 

Thus, if you let your staff do the right thing, they will. But, if they don’t feel trusted, they simply won’t. 

 

Conclusion 

Culture is an integral part of a company. Making changes to the company culture and actively working to improve it will help the business succeed. 

In addition, with such significant changes taking place over the recent months, it’s crucial to nurture the company culture, engage the employees, and help them feel valued, supported, and excited to move towards accomplishing organizational goals!