Next month, the MedHQ team will host the Heart of the Business Conference in alignment with their participation in the Metro Chicago Heart Walk, sponsored by the American Heart Association (AHA). Heart Walk events around the country will raise money and awareness for cardiovascular research, a cause that is meaningful to our organization. MedHQ works with healthcare organizations to help them serve their patients better, and we are passionate about promoting healthier habits.
Every month as we lead up to the conference, we are sharing a workplace tip based on a favorite MedHQ mantra: “We are at the heart of healthcare businesses.”
This month’s tip is: build a strong workplace culture.
What is Company Culture?
Try describing the culture of your company, and you might struggle to find the right words. Culture can be difficult to pin down because it’s composed of many different elements. Imagine your company is a person; how would you introduce it to a stranger? Think about its values, attitudes, habits, personality traits, and quirks.
Culture is what creates your company’s distinctive character. It influences every aspect of how your organization operates, from day-to-day interactions to major business decisions.
Benefits of Having a Strong Culture
When you develop a culture that reflects your company’s core values and fosters a positive work environment, everyone wins. A good culture:
- Reflects your beliefs and goals: The people you hope to hire want to work for an organization that supports employees, works toward clear priorities, and promotes good communication, leadership, and teamwork.
- Attracts and retains top talent: When employees feel pride and purpose in their culture, they are more likely to stay and grow with the company.
- Contributes to employee engagement and happiness: When team members are empowered to do their best work and further organizational goals, they are more engaged and satisfied. And high engagement is linked with better productivity, profitability, and other outcomes.
Tips for Building a Strong Workplace Culture
Don’t make the mistake of letting your culture develop organically. It is fundamental to the future of your business, and you must be intentional about how it takes shape.
- Ask for input: Your employees, from the newest intern to the most senior manager, have valuable insights about your existing culture. Ask them how they would describe your company culture. What is strong? What needs work? Listen without jumping to the defensive, and take their feedback into account when implementing changes. Focus on both the concrete – starting a workplace wellness program that helps employee thrive – and the abstract – translating your mission and values into actions.
- Define it: Create a written company culture statement, with the help of key stakeholders, and communicate it to all employees. Make it integral to hiring, training, and leadership development.
- Embody it: Start at the top, with company leaders, and model the culture you want to create. Don’t just parrot talking points but look for specific actions you can take to bring your culture to life. For example, if honesty and transparency are important in your company, normalize talking about mistakes with employees. Discuss your own missteps, ask for assistance when you need it, and help others find solutions to challenges they’re facing.
Our Heart of the Business eBook is available to download. Receive more insight on the importance of a strong workplace culture, plus other heart-healthy business tips.