Does your office look like a healthy workplace culture, encouraging happy hours, and weekend ball games together?
Over the past years we have been reading about the top companies to work for based on ping pong tables in the office, extra vacation days, and boasts of a work/life balance.
These cultures aren’t created in the workplace, they are created in a fantasy work world. They try to convince their employees that they should be happy based on how much fun and freedom is offered during the work day.
Instead of talking with the employees and spending time digging to the core of the frustrations, they cover them up with doughnuts in the AM and free gym memberships “to promote health.”
Without communication, no happy hour will be able to fix the long-term struggles your culture will create. Encourage your team to open up with honest complaints and constructive criticism. Build time in your week to discuss what’s going on in each other lives and strive to understand on a deeper level the people in the cubicles next to you.
The office can be an exciting place when the leadership believes in clear communication and creates the space where their team doesn’t feel fear of contributing or speaking up.
It takes more effort than weekly office parties and offering an extra day off every now and then, but I think our employees are worth it. Do you?
I absolutely agree! If you don’t like your team, the last thing you want to do is have a beer with them. That’s why the work The Culture Group did with us was so important – now we enjoy working and playing together!
LJ – it was a delight and privilege for The Culture Group to work with your team!