How to Change the Culture in Your Workplace to Increase Productivity

One of the most difficult things for a workplace to do is to try to change the overall culture. The culture may actually be what is making your workplace under-productive, less responsive to clients and customers or possibly even hostile for some employees.

Here are some tips for how you can collaborate with your employees to make the necessary changes:

Set the Ground Rules Together

As employees come and go, many newer employees learn the culture based on what they see around them. This can be positive or negative. To help get everyone on the same page, gather all the employees and take the time to review company policies and procedures including dress codes, business hours and expectations. Highlight with them that this may not be how things are currently working but this how you would like to see things changing.

While some employees may be resistant to change, encourage everyone with positive reinforcement such as financial incentives or free lunch on Fridays. Another option is to provide negative consequences as well such as docked pay or the loss of privileges.

Provide an Open Door Policy

This option allows employees to give feedback as to what is working and what is not. Some employees may use this as an opportunity to communicate how other employees are dealing with the changes. This can also provide insight whether this person is right for the changing culture of your company. Some employees will resist change at all costs. This type of person may not be the kind of individual you want around as things change, or they may just need some additional encouragement to get on board with the program.

Remember that change is difficult for most people. Your current work environment didn't happen overnight and it will take time to make the long-lasting changes that you want. Keep an open mind, consult with your employees and let management know when things are working and when they are not. Encourage your team to take advantage of self-care and personal development opportunities. This helps them grow as individuals on an emotional and physical level, making them better capable of giving back to the work space.

Define and Align Cultural Values

Do you actually know what your organizational values are? Are they a just list of words hanging on your wall or website next to your mission statement or are they being embodied by most people? The real productivity and joy of work occurs when as a company your values are clear, you operate in alignment with those values and you HIRE based on those values.

This should be part of a strategic plan to review your company values and communicate through these values to all levels of your organization. Putting this into practice is not an overnight job but it is definitely worthwhile.