What does it take to create a healthy company culture?

Starting with the basics, we know every business’ culture begins before the company’s founder opens the door to conduct business.

Initially, the culture is built from the business leader’s personal values, beliefs, education and experience.

But, what happens on “day two?”

When employees join the company, they bring their own set of personal values, beliefs, education and experience.

If the company’s leader constructed the culture on a foundation that included a rock-solid and straightforward mission, vision and set of values, it will be easier for employees to integrate their personal cultures into that of the business.

On the other hand, if the culture is weak, lacks focus and motivation – and instead promotes an “us and them” mentality (management vs. employee, department vs. department, company vs. customer or vendor) – most aspects of the business will be more difficult for everyone to achieve than it needs to be.

Every business should be working on its culture, every day, and forever. It’s not the kind of thing that can be worked on one day, put aside the next and addressed only when it’s convenient.

Healthy business cultures evolve when everyone knows why the company exists and where it is going, and feels connected to the values. As a result, positive attitudes, behaviors and actions will be more consistently modeled throughout the company, and the healthy culture will continue to gain momentum.

And, the momentum will drive improved personal and company wide performance, as well as a better quality of life.

Can healthy company cultures require periodic adjustments or alignments? Absolutely. Humans are human, things change and life happens.