Company culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, and behaviours that characterise a company and its employees. It’s the unique personality of a company and the way that employees interact with each other and with customers.
Company culture can have a big impact on an employee’s experience of working at a company and can play a role in determining the company’s success. It’s often influenced by the company’s mission and values, as well as the leadership and management style of the company.
94% of executives and 88% of employees believe that a distinct workplace culture is essential to business success. So, it’s important that your company’s core values and culture is distinctive, and is directly associated with your business’ mission.
One survey found that only 12% of executives believe that their current culture is right for their team, so it’s important you understand the different types of company culture, and which one may be best for your situation.
Here is an article which discusses the steps to take to build a positive company culture.
Let’s start off with looking at the different types of company culture…
What are the different types of company culture?
There are many different types of company culture, and the specific type of culture that a company has can depend on a variety of factors, including the company’s size, industry, and leadership. Some common types of company culture include:
- Collaborative culture: This type of culture is focused on teamwork and collaboration, and employees often work closely together to achieve shared goals. More than 50% of employees in one survey are reliant on collaboration, and in the same survey, around 75% of employees rate this as being very important.
- Innovative culture: In this type of culture, creativity and innovation are highly valued, and employees are encouraged to come up with new and creative ideas.
- Results-oriented culture: In a results-oriented culture, the focus is on achieving specific goals and outcomes. This type of culture often involves setting targets and metrics for employees to work towards.
- Customer-focused culture: In a customer-focused culture, the needs and satisfaction of the company’s customers are the top priority. Employees in this type of culture are often trained to provide excellent customer service.
- Hierarchical culture: In a hierarchical culture, there is a clear hierarchy or chain of command, and employees are expected to follow the rules and procedures set by their superiors.
- Culture of learning: In a culture of learning, employees are encouraged to continuously learn and improve their skills. This type of culture often involves providing employees with training and development opportunities.
What type of company culture works best for your situation?
To determine which type of company culture is best for your situation, it’s important to consider your personal values, goals, and preferences, as well as the specific needs of the company. Some things to consider when evaluating different company cultures include:
- The company’s mission and values: Does the company’s mission and values align with your own? Do you believe in the company’s purpose and direction?
- The work environment: What is the work environment like at the company? Is it collaborative, fast-paced, or more laid back?
- The company’s leadership: What is the leadership style of the company? Is it hierarchical, democratic, or somewhere in between?
- Opportunities for growth and development: Does the company provide opportunities for employees to learn and grow? Is there opportunities for advancement and career development?
- Work-life balance: Does the company offer flexible work arrangements or other support for maintaining a healthy work-life balance? Read here for more information on work-life balance.
Ultimately, the best type of company culture for your situation will depend on your individual needs and preferences, as well as the specific characteristics of the company. It’s important to do your research and carefully evaluate the company’s culture before making a decision.
What if I adopt a misaligned company culture?
If you choose the wrong type of company culture for your business, it can have negative consequences for both your employees and your business as a whole. Some potential negative effects of a misaligned company culture include:
- Low employee morale: If employees don’t feel like they fit in with the company’s culture, they may become disengaged and unhappy, which can lead to low morale and a lack of motivation.
- High employee turnover: Employees who don’t feel like they fit in with the company’s culture may be more likely to leave the company, which can lead to high turnover and the need to constantly hire and train new employees.
- Poor performance: If employees are unhappy or disengaged, it can lead to poor performance and subpar results for the company.
- Difficulties in attracting and retaining top talent: A misaligned company culture can make it difficult for a company to attract and retain top talent, as potential employees may be drawn to companies with cultures that align with their own values and goals.
Overall, choosing the wrong type of company culture for your business can have negative consequences for both your employees and your bottom line. It’s important to carefully consider your company’s culture and ensure that it aligns with your business goals and the needs of your employees.
How to overcome misaligned company culture
If you have a misaligned company culture, there are a few steps you can take to try to overcome it and create a more positive and effective culture for your business:
- Identify the root cause of the misalignment: The first step in overcoming a misaligned company culture is to identify the root cause of the problem. This could be due to a variety of factors, such as poor leadership, a lack of communication, or a mismatch between the company’s values and those of its employees.
- Communicate openly and honestly: Once you have identified the root cause of the misalignment, it’s important to communicate openly and honestly with your employees about the issues and what you plan to do to address them. This can help to build trust and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
- Create a plan to align the culture: Once you have identified the issues and communicated with your employees, the next step is to create a plan to align the company’s culture with your business goals and the needs of your employees. This may involve implementing new policies or procedures, providing training and development opportunities, or making changes to the company’s leadership style.
- Monitor and adjust as needed: Overcoming a misaligned company culture is a continuous process, and it’s important to regularly monitor the effectiveness of your plan and make adjustments as needed. This can help to ensure that the company’s culture remains aligned with your business goals and the needs of your employees over time.
Overall, overcoming a misaligned company culture can be a challenging process, but it is possible with the right approach and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Read our article on the impact of a toxic company culture, and how to overcome a toxic workplace.
Good luck on finding the correct type of company culture for your business!
Remember, you won’t always get it right. Even if you try to adopt a company culture that doesn’t work for your business, there is always a way to become realigned to make a positive change! We also have an article on how technology can impact company culture.
Have any other ideas on the different types of company culture? Give us an email at [email protected], or let us know on our LinkedIn or Facebook Pages!
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