Word-Of-the-Week #902: Culture
November 18, 2021 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word-Of-the-Week #902: Culture
Culture – the set of predominating attitudes and behavior that characterize a group or organization.
How important is having work-life balance to you? Do you feel supported and safe at work?
This week is the last half of “6 Signs it’s Time to Quit Your Job” by Kathryn Vasel, CNN Business.
To recap:
“Millions of workers have left their jobs in recent months.
Some found new roles, while others walked away without having anything lined up. So how do you know if it’s time for you to start looking for a new role?
Here are some signs that could signal it’s time to find a new role:
You feel like you’ve plateaued
There are major issues with your boss
- You perpetually procrastinate
We all put things off occasionally, but if you are constantly waiting until the last minute to complete work tasks when you used to schedule appropriately, that could be a signal it’s time to move on.
“When you procrastinate, you tend to be reactive and wait until the very last minute and then the quality of the work becomes just a checklist just to get it done,” said Sheth. “Compared to ‘I do this because I have pride in doing this….I care about the results. Now the shift is: ‘I need to do just enough so I don’t get into trouble.’
- There’s a cultural disconnect
Your company’s culture plays a role in your engagement, productivity and happiness, so any disconnect can create problems.
For instance, if work-life balance is important to you and there’s a constant deluge of emails from your boss at all hours of the day, that can contribute to burnout.
Sheth said workers should feel supported and safe at work. How companies responded to the needs of workers during the pandemic has played a role in people deciding to leave their jobs, she added.
“If your company did not give you that support system, this is why people are leaving.”
- You’re noticing other potential opportunities
When you feel unsatisfied with your current position, you start to notice other opportunities more frequently.
“All of the sudden you start to notice job opportunities pop up on LinkedIn and you are actually slowing down and looking at them — your focus has shifted,” said Sheth.
She suggested asking yourself: If you were unemployed and your current job was offered to you as it is, would you accept it or keep looking?
- Your attitude has changed
Take note if there’s been an increase in your eye rolls, heavy sighs and under-your-breath grumblings at work.
“If you find yourself over and over for months on end just being dissatisfied with different aspects of your job, being unhappy going to work, sitting down at your computer and thinking ‘ugh I cant believe I have to do this,’ that is a sign that you might need to look at what else is out there,” said Gallo.
While you aren’t expected to be happy at work all the time, Sheth said always being defensive and providing snappy, transactional-type responses that are curt and supply limited information can also be warning signs.
Shifts in your attitude and approach to work can be an indicator that it’s time to rethink things.“You aren’t pouring yourself into work the same way…maybe you are calling in sick and just not showing up to meetings that you used to show up to,” Bray said.
This week’s focus is on the company culture. How happy and/or satisfied are you working for your current employer? Have you ever caught yourself procrastinating? If you were unemployed and your current job was offered to you as it is, would you accept it or keep looking?
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Word-Of-the-Week #693: Culture
November 16, 2017 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word-Of-the-Week #693: Culture
Culture – the values, practices, and beliefs shared by the members of a group.
Do you work in a positive environment? Do you feel valued and appreciated? Are you inspired and motivated every day?
This week features Doug Claffey and “5 keys to a better workplace.”
“What distinguishes a Top Workplace from an average one? The truth is, there’s no single practice, no one-size-fits-all solution for achieving great results. But there are common qualities of success you should be able to identify in every company.
We know from our decade of research it’s not perks or “coolness” that makes the difference. The best employers carefully craft a positive workplace culture. We also know that organizations who make the “Top Workplace” list share a common foundation that supports a healthy culture — and employee engagement. Here are five key lessons:
- People really are the greatest asset: It goes beyond lip service. It’s a core principle that’s brought to life every day, with leadership putting employees at the center of their thinking. Done right, the feeling is returned: Employees consistently tell us that a sense of appreciation and confidence in leadership are among the most important factors for their workplace satisfaction.
- Leaders listen: The best leaders listen to the feedback provided by employees both formally and informally. While some leaders might dwell on the inherent risks of giving employees a voice, leaders at Top Workplaces are clued in to their team’s challenges and use this knowledge in decision-making. This builds a sense of commitment and accountability.
- Everyone is in the loop: It’s difficult to be fully committed if you’re kept in the dark. Employees want to be well-informed. Leaders in Top Workplaces recognize this. They’re committed to sharing information as much — and as often — as they can. And they don’t just share the happy news. Organizations that fail to communicate with staff on a regular basis, substantively, will leave an information void. That gap will be filled quickly with rumors and speculation.
- Live with a purpose: Employees want to feel their work contributes to something meaningful. Effective leaders deliver an inspiring vision, which the entire team connects with day to day. In 2016, among the top 10 percent of companies we surveyed nationwide, 96 percent of employees reported feeling motivated. Compare that to the bottom 10 percent of organizations (which most closely represent a “typical” workforce), where just 62 percent of employees felt motivated. This 34 percentage-point gap represents a massive drop in productivity. Motivation matters.
- Build community: Neuroscience teaches us the importance people place on feeling accepted and safe in their “tribe.” It helps them stay focused and contributes to success. In forging productive employee experiences, Top Workplaces care about building community. They hold regular, purposeful events that foster a sense of belonging. That sense of appreciation also keeps employees connected. We see it in the Energage survey comments, like this one from an employee at The Control Group Media Company, Inc.: “We have great teamwork and collaboration, and we help each other be successful.”
The best workplaces always look to improve. After all, it’s a journey, not a destination. Even top-ranked companies will find things to work on in a process of continuous improvement. If done right, employees will know their workplace is special. Employers shouldn’t be shy asking for extra effort in return. Ensure staff remains active in the ongoing success of the organization — with all the necessary accountability. And remember to celebrate along the way”.
Doug Claffey is the chief executive officer of Energage, formerly WorkplaceDynamics.
Culture is the personality of a company. It defines the environment in which employees work. That being said, do you feel you are an asset? Are you kept well-informed? Does management listen? Are you part of a team that helps everyone to be successful?
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