5 Steps to Creating a Culture of Commitment in Your Business

Businesses can be made or broken based on the company's culture, both from an employee and customer perspective. Without a solid culture of commitment, your employees won’t feel safe and comfortable; they won’t value their work, wouldn't feel supported when needed, and will be less likely to perform well in their roles. These are just some of the reasons why building a solid culture of commitment should be one of your primary goals as an executive leader or business owner; here are five steps you can take to get there...

1) Personalize your mission

A strong culture has the power to engage employees, retain top talent, and foster innovation. It can also lead to increased profitability and better overall business performance. Here are five steps you can take to cultivate a culture of commitment in your organization.

We already know that employees who feel happy and inspired are more likely to be engaged and perform better. A positive corporate culture makes employees feel safe, valued, and supported, all factors that have been shown to correlate with increased engagement.

2) Build trust with each other

To build trust with each other, we need to be able to rely on each other. We need to know that our teammates have our backs and that we can count on them when things get tough. Building trust takes time, but it's worth it. When teams trust each other, they're more likely to stay together and perform better.

Employees feel valued and supported and are more likely to stick around, improving retention rates. One way to start building trust is by being honest about what you need from your team. Say I'm going to ask you for extra help, or I appreciate your work. If I tell you without any explanation why I need it or how much it will mean to me, there's no guarantee that you'll say yes. If, instead, I tell you I would love to give you a raise because then we can devise a plan together.

3) Celebrate the Wins

One of the best ways to create a culture of results is to celebrate the wins. One of my favorite mentors, John Maxwell, talks about the law of Big Mo, that building that momentum is critical, and it is! I also believe we must take the time to celebrate the people helping us along the way.

• Celebrate success as a team and reward everyone for a well-done job. This will help instill a sense of pride and ownership in the company.
• Let your team members know that their hard work is appreciated and that you are committed to their success.
• Encourage open communication and feedback so everyone feels heard and valued.
• Show your team members that you are invested in their development by providing opportunities for growth and learning.
• Make sure you clearly understand what's expected from each person on the team and provide them with what they need to succeed. Ensuring that all employees feel respected, included, and connected will make it easier for them to commit themselves fully to your business's mission.

4) Offer "transparency" throughout the company

A lack of clarity breeds mistrust and can be a significant barrier to creating a culture of commitment. Transparency is such a buzzword these days, and I believe it is clear and candid with your team is more specific than just transparency.

If you want your employees to feel valued and supported, they must have access to information and feel like they are part of the decision-making process. One way to clarify this is to encourage open communication between management and employees.

For that level of commitment and engagement, which translates into higher performance and overall business profitability, it’s vital that your employees feel valued and like they're a part of something bigger than themselves.

5) Invest in employee development and education

A business is only as strong as its employees, so investing in their development and education is essential. This can be done in several ways, such as offering training and development programs, tuition reimbursement, or even mentorship programs. By investing in your employees, you're not only improving their skills and knowledge but also showing them that you value their contribution to the company.

Investing in employees pays off because happy employees are more likely to be engaged and motivated by their jobs. Employee retention is also higher when you focus on career development, so you're expected to experience less employee turnover when your staff is happy and fulfilled.

Investing in employee development improves business results and is a rare perk that boosts morale and makes employees feel valued. When you show employees they're appreciated, they'll work harder for you and develop greater loyalty.

Remind your team why they’re there: If you want to create a culture of commitment, your team needs to know why they are working at your company and what is expected from them. Along the way, make it personal, show them you care. Be authentic; tell them why the company's mission is so important. When you are your true self, you will build trust with the team. Don't forget to stop and smell the roses and celebrate them in uniquely creative ways. Providing a clear picture of the future is motivational, and it will be easier for them to commit to your cause if they understand exactly what to expect. Lastly, create a culture of gratitude, and celebrate the people around you! It will change their lives and yours!