MIT, Glassdoor, and Deloitte all say people care more about culture than pay: Why aren’t you focused on culture?

Research everywhere speaks volumes. It consistently highlights a significant shift: People care more about workplace culture than their salaries. So, why aren't more companies prioritizing workplace culture?

Here are some common reasons:

• Many leaders prioritize immediate financial gains over long-term cultural investments, forgetting that a healthy culture drives sustainable success.
• Some leaders just don’t see how deeply culture affects employee engagement and productivity.
• Building a positive culture requires time, effort, and resources, which can feel overwhelming alongside other urgent business needs.
• Shifting an established workplace culture means challenging the status quo, which can be uncomfortable and create resistance.
• Leaders just don’t know where to start.

Why Prioritize Culture Now?

Bad behaviors occur because the organization allows it to. For example, one of our clients faced a breakdown in trust and rampant negative behaviors in their organization. They noticed subtle signs that things were off and knew they needed to act.

We conducted a comprehensive survey and created a series of tailored action plans. The result? A significant positive shift in behavior. Their net promoter score (NPS)—which measures how likely employees are to recommend the workplace—soared from 80% to 96%.

This shows just how powerful prioritizing culture can be for your organization's success. Read the case study here.

How to Start Focusing on Culture

Assess Your Current Culture

Use an employee survey (climate assessment) to understand your current cultural landscape. More than an engagement survey, our climate assessment measures the five constructs of culture: job satisfaction, employee engagement, internal communication, inclusion, relationships, and other areas as needed. Then, we can identify areas for improvement and work with you to fix them.

Download our easy-to-use, 16-question climate assessment for a preview of what we offer.

Define Your Values

Core values serve as the foundation for your company's culture, influencing everything from decision-making processes to interpersonal interactions. Communicate these values consistently and integrate them into daily operations. Here are 50 ideas on how to bring them to life.?

Invest in Training and Development

Provide ongoing training that promotes respect, collaboration, and personal growth. Effective training programs help employees develop the skills and mindsets needed to thrive in a positive workplace culture. Check out our most popular training programs here (though we offer more!)?

Keep Employees from Running Away

Focus on your culture, and you’ll not only improve your work environment but also secure the future success of your organization. Remember, your employees are your greatest asset. Treat them with the respect and support they deserve, and they’ll reward you with loyalty, productivity, and innovation!

PS: Don’t miss our LinkedIn Live show on Administrative Human Resources tomorrow at 10:30am PST! Gain valuable insights and practical tips to elevate your HR practice. Plus, we’ve made the course free for you to take!