Want a Thriving Work Culture? - 10 Things You Can Say and Do as a Leader in a Small Business to Foster a Thriving Work Culture

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Creating a healthy work culture doesn’t happen by accident, and it’s not something that naturally exists.

You create it by what you, as a leader, allow, ignore and what you spend your energy and focus on.

Culture is, at its core, simply the way things are done around here. Hard truth, you, as a leader of a small business, have intentionally or not, created the culture you have now.

Take a moment to think about your current culture. How would you describe it? Is it one where trust, collaboration, and growth thrive? Or do you notice areas that feel off or unaligned with what you really want?

If it’s not where you want it to be, don’t worry, small, intentional actions can make a big difference.

Here are ten things you can say and ten things you can do to help your team thrive:

and it's not about simply saying or doing .... you have to mean them ....and be consistent with them too....

10 Things You Can Say to Build Trust and Collaboration:

1. “I really value your perspective ” This goes beyond just listening. Make it clear that their unique ideas and experiences are crucial to the team’s success.
2. “What do you think?” Proactively invite team members to share their opinions, especially during discussions or decision-making. This creates a sense of ownership and collaboration.
3. “Here’s what I learned from my mistake.” Show vulnerability and lead by example. When you openly acknowledge your own mistakes, it encourages a culture where others feel safe to take risks and grow. encourage your team to learn from thier mistakes.
4. “Thank you for xxxxxx” (be specific). Instead of generic praise and thank you's which mean very little, call out specific contributions or actions. For example, “Thank you for staying late to finalise that report, it really made a difference.”
5. “What do you want from your role?” This question sparks conversations about personal goals and growth, aligning individual aspirations with the business’s mission.
6. “How can we improve?” Open the door for honest feedback about the business, team dynamics, or leadership. This shows you’re willing to grow alongside your team.
7. “I trust your judgment.” Empower your team by showing confidence in their abilities and decisions and letting them get on with it. This builds trust and encourages initiative.
8. “Let’s figure this out together.” Collaboration starts with inclusion. Make problem-solving a team effort to build stronger connections.
9. “What support do you need to succeed?” Show your commitment to enabling your team’s success by addressing their specific needs.
10. “You’re making a real impact.” Highlight how their work contributes to the bigger picture, be specific, creating a sense of purpose and motivation.

10 Things You Can Do to Cultivate a Healthy Culture:

1. Lead by Example. Demonstrate the values you want to see in your team. If you expect collaboration, be collaborative. If you value well-being, show that you prioritise it for yourself and others.
2. Create Clear Expectations. Ambiguity breeds frustration. Ensure every team member understands their role, responsibilities, and how their work contributes to the bigger picture.
3. Celebrate Wins – Big and Small. Regularly acknowledge achievements to boost morale. Whether it’s a shoutout in a meeting or a team lunch, celebrating progress helps build a positive environment.
4. Invest in Development. Provide opportunities for learning, whether through workshops, mentorship, on the job or cross functional training. A culture of continuous improvement benefits both the individual and the business.
5. Encourage Work-Life Balance. Avoid burnout by setting boundaries around work hours, encouraging breaks, and respecting personal time. Healthy employees are more productive and engaged.
6. Foster Connection. Organise team-building activities or informal gatherings to strengthen relationships and create a sense of community.
7. Address Issues Promptly. Don’t let small problems fester. Tackle conflicts or concerns head-on to maintain trust and harmony within the team.
8. Provide Autonomy. Trust your team to take ownership of their work, giving them the freedom to make decisions and innovate.
9. Share the Vision. Regularly communicate the business’s goals and values to ensure alignment and inspire motivation.
10. Solicit Feedback and Act on It. Make feedback a two-way street by actively seeking and responding to suggestions from your team.

Why It Matters:

A healthy work culture isn’t just about being a nice boss; it’s about creating an environment where your team feels empowered to do their best work. When trust, collaboration, and growth thrive, so does your business.

Points to Ponder

What If You Don’t Have the Culture You Want?

If the culture in your business isn’t where you want it to be, start by asking yourself a few questions:

• What behaviours or practices are you allowing that might be holding your team back?
• Are there values you say are important, but don’t consistently act on?
• What’s one small thing you could focus on today to start shifting the culture?
• What’s one small thing you’ve already done to improve your work culture?
• How do you envision the culture you want to create?

Culture evolves from consistent actions and reinforced values. If there’s a gap between your ideal culture and the current reality, identify it and take intentional steps to close it.

Be honest with your team about where you’re heading and invite them to help shape the journey.

Share your insights in the comments – I’d love to hear from you!

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I'm Chrissie and I talk about Leadership Coaching and Development and Organisational Behavioural Analytics. I empower high achieving results driven business owners and leaders to create great employee experiences, realise their potential and grow their business?results

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