Strong company culture is vital to the success of any business. After all, happy employees are productive employees.
Company culture is the sum total of the attitudes, values, and behaviors that make up an organization. It’s what gives a business its unique identity and helps define its goals and objectives.
The biggest companies in the world recognize the importance of company culture. That’s why they invest so heavily in it. Microsoft, for example, is regularly ranked as one of the best companies to work for. Google and Facebook are also well-known for having a great company culture.
But what happens when you have new hires starting at your company? How do you introduce them to your company culture and make sure they feel like valued team members? Here are a few tips.
Tip #1: Encourage transparency from the very beginning.
When new hires start at your company, be sure to set the tone for an open and transparent work environment from day one. This means being available to answer any questions they may have about the company, its policies, and its procedures. It also means being honest about any challenges the company may be facing and creating an open dialogue so that everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas.
Encourage your new hires to ask questions and voice their thoughts openly so that they can fully understand your company culture and feel like they are a part of it.
Tip #2: Help them get to know their teammates.
One of the best ways to help new hires feel like they are a part of your company culture is to help them get to know their teammates. Set up social events or outings outside of work so that everyone has a chance to get to know each other on a personal level. If possible, arrange for new hires to sit with their team during lunch so that they can bond over shared interests and experiences. The perfect corporate event is one that provides employees time to sit down and chat with their co-workers in a relaxed setting. This way, they can learn more about each other and build relationships that will last long after they leave the office.
The more comfortable new hires feel with their teammates, the more likely they are to feel like they are a part of your company culture.
Tip #3: Encourage them to get involved.
Of course, simply getting to know their teammates isn’t enough to help new hires feel like they are a part of your company culture—they need to actually be involved in it. Encourage them to participate in company-sponsored events or charity drives. Or better yet, give them the opportunity to take on leadership roles within teams or committees to help shape the company culture’s direction.
The more invested new hires are in your company culture, the more likely they are to feel like it’s a part of who they are.
Tip #4: Promote a positive work-life balance.
A healthy work-life balance is essential to any company culture. Employees who constantly work late nights and weekends will quickly become burnt out and resentful. This can lead to a decrease in productivity, an increase in absences, and a generally negative attitude towards work.
On the other hand, if you promote a healthy work-life balance, your employees will be more likely to feel happy and fulfilled both inside and outside of work. They’ll be more productive, engaged, and likely to stick around for the long haul.
Tip #5: Lead by example.
As the leader of your company, it’s up to you to set the tone for your company culture. If you want your employees to be happy, productive, and engaged, you need to lead by example.
One reason why employees at Microsoft are so satisfied with their jobs is that they feel that their leaders, particularly CEO Satya Nadella, are truly invested in their well-being. In a recent survey, Microsoft employees cited “a strong leadership team” as one of the main reasons they love their job.
Model the behavior you want to see in your employees, and be sure to live up to the standards you set for your company culture. Your employees will be more likely to follow your lead if they see that you’re willing to do the same.
Introducing new hires into your company culture doesn’t have to be difficult—just follow these tips! By encouraging transparency, helping them get to know their teammates, and encouraging them to get involved, you can help ensure that every new hire feels like an integral part of your team from day one. With a little effort, you’ll soon have a workplace full of happy, productive employees.