Culture starts at the top. When an issue surfaces, your employees will look to you for conflict management. That’s why we asked 10 entrepreneurs from Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) the following question:
“Name one way you set an example for your employees in order to create the company culture you expect.”
Tips for Creating a Positive Work Environment
Here’s what YEC community members had to say:
1. Be Enthusiastic
“Every day, I make it a point to be enthusiastic and positive. I make sure my energy is contagious. If people aren’t in good moods they’re not going to perform, bottom line. People work best when there is an environment built on open communication. So talk to your employees, don’t just talk at them. People want to feel appreciated. So hand out praise when it’s deserved.” ~ Phil Laboon, WUDN
2. Take Time to Show You Care
“Our company is always focused on the person. On the business side, this means that we’re 100 percent dedicated to the clients we serve: their passions, needs, etc. But we’re genuine about our humanitarian side, so we put the same effort into being caring and understanding towards each teammate, whether they’re struggling with sickness, family emergencies, or just need a day off to rest.” ~ Nathalie Lussier, AmbitionAlly
3. Stay True to Your Word
“If you say you’re going to do something, do it. It never looks good to make promises you can’t keep, and eventually it will weigh on company culture. Follow through with what you say, no matter how big or small. Show your employees that you can keep your word. This will build trust and create a culture of mutual respect and understanding.” ~ Dave Nevogt, Hubstaff.com
4. Come in on Time
“I am a huge supporter of a company culture that celebrates individualism and has a lot of fun. However, I’m equally interested in encouraging productivity and performance. As such, I think the CEO and senior management team sets the tone. If the CEO arrives early and leaves late, so will team members. In contrast, if the CEO or senior managers come in late, it sends an incongruent message.” ~ Kristopher Jones, LSEO.com
5. Get Enough Rest
“At Amerisleep, we champion healthy lifestyles. There’s no pat on the back for burning the midnight oil. In fact, that’s discouraged, since research shows that working longer hours produces marginal (and sometimes negative) returns. So, I set the example that everyone should work hard but sleep well. A well-rested team is a productive one.” ~ Firas Kittaneh, Amerisleep
6. Lean Into Your Skills
“I’m a firm believer that every team member brings a certain set of skills that makes the team perform at its highest level. Only when those skills are being put to their best use can your team function properly. I don’t try to micro-manage my team. I offer them suggestions, then expect them to handle tasks in the most productive way possible.” ~ Nicole Munoz, Start Ranking Now
7. Welcome Feedback
“I welcome feedback on the quality of my work. For example, when I write an email to a client, I will often get a couple of people to take a look at it before I press send. I invite criticism because I want my work to be as near perfect as possible, and when I give feedback to others, they should see it is a two-way street and not the work of a benevolent dictator.” ~ Douglas Baldasare, ChargeItSpot
8. Listen and Collaborate
“No silver bullet creates the culture you expect. The most effective way for us is to ask and listen to what our employees need and do our best to deliver within our means. Employees who are listened to feel safe sharing what will improve their experience. Ask, then be ready to follow through with actions that show you’re listening and most importantly, that you care about their well-being.” ~ Peggy Shell, Creative Alignments
9. Examine the Foundation
“If your culture is slipping, there are only three possible reasons: people, product, or process. In order to delve into each of these, it’s necessary to join your team for a week and examine everything from different angles. I like to get back to the principles that got the business off the ground, and examine the foundation. Find the cause (not the symptom), then adjust as necessary.” ~ Ismael Wrixen, FE International
10. Ask for Help
“If you want your employees to be honest and willing to seek help when they run into issues, you have to do the same. Be honest with your team when you need help or support on a project. This is a win-win situation, as you’ll get some great assistance on whatever you’re stuck on, and they’ll know that it’s OK for them to speak up and do the same with each other and with you.” ~ Roger Lee, Captain401
Happy Company Photo via Shutterstock
[“Source-smallbiztrends”]
