Starkey: A Culture Company

By Jessica Perez, Chief People Officer and Executive Vice President of Culture at Starkey

Everyone has their own opinion of what company culture should look like. If culture isn’t clearly defined, it can be confusing for employees to figure out how they should show up. As an organization, you can have the best strategy in the world and the best product on the market, but that won’t guarantee success. If people feel passionate about what they’re doing and are valued and cared for by their company, they will work hard for you and push your organization to places you didn’t think possible.?

At Starkey , our culture has a clear direction. We are caring. We are fearless. We are dedicated. Each day, everyone knows who we are and how they can show up to make sure we are walking the walk and talking the talk. Our culture gives our team a sense of purpose. As a leader, our commitment to culture allowed me to be my authentic self without fear or judgment. That is the power of a strong company culture, and at Starkey, our culture is what sets us apart.

Cultural Iceberg

Think of company culture like an iceberg. What you see above the surface is a common set of values and beliefs. These are the core values your company has agreed are most important. At Starkey, our core values or “The Starkey Way” are: Caring, Fearless and Dedicated. These values are what people see outwardly. They shape who we are and how the world views us.

But what is below the surface? The internal relationships we foster with our team. The personal values each of us holds dear. These pieces of our culture are just as important as the core values we’ve fostered. At Starkey, we are a company built on caring. We care deeply about the patients who use Starkey hearing aids and want to reconnect them back to their worlds. As leaders, we need to take the same care and time to listen to and value our teammates as we do with the patients we create our caring technology for.

Culture-Focused Leaders

Culture is set by our leaders. Employees are looking for guidance, safety and validation in their work. They want to know that they are doing a good job. There are a few ways leaders can be more culture-focused.

Look Forward

While the past is important to see how far we’ve come and make corrections to avoid previous mistakes, leaders can’t be hyper-focused on the past. Dwelling on what went wrong will only bring your team’s morale down. Learn from the past, see the bigger picture and continue to move forward.

Be Intentional

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut. Leaders need to create a culture based on intentionality. Send personal notes to each team member praising specific things they have done. Plan a potluck where the team can share meals that matter to them. Whatever you do, put in the effort.?

Be a Role Model

Our recipe for success begins with our leaders and how they show up for their teams. They are role models because they know employees look to them for guidance. As leaders, we have to be disciplined and show up for our team each day. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a bad day, but you set the standard for how your team shows up. Don’t project a bad day or bad season onto your team.?

Committing to Culture

Creating a strong company culture should never be an afterthought. Leaders need to build safety and security on their teams. Ask them how they feel when they come to work and what inspires them each day.

Prioritize your team members’ personal development. When employees know their personal goals are just as important as company goals, they see a path to more opportunities within the organization. They know you are committed to them, and, in turn, they will remain committed to the organization.?

Now more than ever, culture is essential to a thriving company. People are leaving organizations not because of compensation but because they don’t feel valued. Employees want to work at a company that wants them to succeed and be authentic to who they are. They want to feel like they can have fun at work and still achieve their professional and personal goals. When you put culture at the forefront of everything you do, your team will thrive, and your business will soar to new heights.