The Becker Briefing - October 2022

Greetings!

I want to start off by thanking those of you who have subscribed to my newsletters and supported this new initiative. And I want to invite more of you to take a read and be sure to subscribe to future newsletters if you find anything that connects with you. Along with any professional life updates, I will be sharing some topics that we go over each month that can help you in different areas of the business and leadership world.

This month, I wanted to touch on a few topics that relate to an organization’s internal sphere. Working for a company that has a comfortable environment is a high priority for most employees. It is fair to say that people want to be heard and respected in the workplace. Regardless of if they’re in-person or remote, company-wide dynamics make a huge difference in the functionality and output of employees. My goal here is to share my experience and my take on such topics and hope that it resonates with all of you in some way.

Staying True to Company Culture

While working for an organization or a company, we notice and look for certain attributes that match the values that we have. Company culture includes the goals, attitudes, and behaviors of a company and its employees. As we understand, company culture is cultivated and repeatedly discussed. Think about the work environment, leadership styles, ethical and non-ethical situations, and overall expectations employees have of each other.

There are several reasons why having strong company culture is very essential. Firstly, having company culture defines your company’s true identity. It’s how we want to conduct our business and who we really are. One can think of it as your brand or image because that’s how customers or other businesses will perceive you.?The ideal cultural identity should be the true day-to-day experience for all the people involved.?

A big reason why company culture is so important is that it brings people together and keeps everyone aligned. People are more likely to get behind a common purpose when the company culture is more clearly defined. A common purpose maintains productivity in the workplace and could help retain your employees. So, try to build a company culture that has a healthy balance between the individual needs of employees with what the organization is trying to accomplish.

Having Personal Connections in the Workplace

Company culture could also include how we foster and support certain relationships at work. I have always believed that friendships in the workplace can help you work better as a team. Is it just me or does having friends at work make you feel happier at work? It seems that when you’re happier, you just have more energy and a higher morale to get work done. This benefits the company you are working for as there will be higher productivity in the company. I look at it like workplace friendships can really help confidence grow. Your trust grows in the workplace because you understand your coworkers’ personalities, motivations, and perspectives. And then the other aspect of growing confidence is that as a team of friends you become much more social and feel comfortable. When you have that support system, it’s possible to help each other meet deadlines, offer each other advice, and lend an ear for those tough days.

There is a flip side to this idea as well, which is worth mentioning to have a better understanding. It can be argued that an excessive amount of familiarity can in the workplace can lead to distractions. Although it is great to have friends at work, you must also remember that you are being paid to do a job, so you must be?self-disciplined and be accountable for yourself.

For example, if someone is super close to their manager and seems to be getting the best projects to lead, then some might view it as unfair. And even though they may be given those chances fair and square, their peers could find as special treatment because of your close friendship with the boss. No one wants to be the subject of rumors and gossip.

Therefore, it is important to draw clear boundaries with your connections at work. You want to avoid giving off any wrong impressions or neglecting your peers. Seek a balance in having personal connections that promote healthy work environments and professional relationships that add support to career advancement. Be authentic and serve yourself with a sense of approachability while being cautious of what you say so it can’t be used against you.

Grow Your Internal Talent

A company is nothing without the people working there, so it would be wise to understand what motivates those individuals. Talented professionals want to work for a company that will help them to build skills and knowledge and further their career.?Managers shouldn’t minimize the importance of supporting their employee’s career advancement. If they do, they risk undermining morale and productivity by leaving talented workers feeling like they’re undervalued.

I recommend having as much interaction with team members by meeting regularly to stay attuned to their career aspirations and expectations. Help your employees outline a potential career path within the organization, so they can better visualize their future at the company. Identify specific milestones for achievement and the supporting resources employees will likely need to tap along their journey. Clear, direct, and consistent communication from the boss about career advancement steps can help workers feel more engaged.?

Next, job training and continuing education can help to fuel employee career growth. So, you’ll want to encourage team members to pursue relevant business courses and workshops that will further their career advancement. Virtual learning opportunities are a must for many teams right now, and fortunately, there are many affordable options available.

Another option is to try establishing a formal mentoring program. Though often seen as a transfer of knowledge from tenured team members to less-seasoned employees, mentoring is a two-way street. While senior staff members can offer hard-earned insights and professional guidance to less-experienced colleagues, they also can benefit from the fresh perspectives and technological know-how from up-and-coming employees.?

Overall, remember that employees will be better positioned to achieve their career goals if they know they have manager support. You saw potential when you hired them, now make a genuine effort to keep them onboard and build a career within the company.?

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