How to build a thriving company culture

Creating a thriving company culture requires more than a surface-level understanding of workplace wellbeing or employee benefits. According to Dr. Martin Seligman, these six core needs are the foundation for any human to flourish:

1. Positive emotion
2. Engagement
3. Relationships
4. Meaning
5. Accomplishment
6. Health

For People leaders striving to impact employee development, understanding these pillars is crucial for identifying gaps in your current culture building strategy.

1. Cultivate positive emotions in the workplace.

Employee satisfaction and productivity often hinge on positive emotions.

You can encourage daily moments of joy through shared music, funny videos, virtual coffee breaks and other enjoyable breaks. Live team-building experiences can also strengthen relationships and add some fun to the day. Creating an atmosphere of happiness boosts resilience and fosters a more fulfilling work experience.

2. Leverage team strengths for engagement.

Engagement comes from recognizing and utilizing unique skill sets within your team.

Equip your managers with the emotional intelligence needed to identify strengths, delegate tasks effectively, increase productivity and invest in professional development. Well-trained managers enhance individual growth while propelling teams toward success.

3. Build a connected workforce.

A sense of belonging and connection is vital for employee motivation. 

Train your leaders and managers in effective one-on-one meetings, strategies for boosting workplace belonging, navigating difficult conversations and fostering unity during challenging times. A connected team is a motivated team.

4. Connect employees to a greater purpose.

Employees are looking for more than just a paycheck from their jobs.

Communicate your company's mission, popularize values and introduce cascading goals. When employees understand the “why” behind their work, it helps ensure your team feels connected to the broader company culture, fostering a sense of purpose in their work.

5. Recognize and celebrate successes.

Acknowledging achievements is critical to employee job satisfaction. 

Equip managers to set practical goals, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, provide constructive feedback and consistently recognize employee contributions. A workforce that feels valued is a thriving one.

6. Prioritize wellbeing for peak performance.

Holistic wellbeing cannot be ignored when creating a thriving company culture.

Remind remote teams to prioritize self-care through stretch breaks, walks, healthy meals, well-deserved vacations or anything else that helps them feel nourished. Encouraging a health-first mindset from ensures a balanced work/life dynamic — and increases productivity.

Bonus: Create a culture of learning.

Prioritizing personal development is a great way to build a thriving company culture.

Investing in training develops individual leadership skills and fosters a culture of learning within your company. When employees see that their company is committed to their own growth and development, it has an impact. This learning culture becomes ingrained in your organization's DNA, leading to increased employee engagement, collaboration and a stronger sense of purpose. A culture of learning attracts top talent and retains your valuable employees, ultimately contributing to the overall success and sustainability of your company.

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