Workplace Culture: Why Attitude Matters as Much as Aptitude

Prepared by Jose Santiago , Administrative Support Specialist at Mobilization Funding

Is your company culture something you can stand for or is it just a prop to impress potential candidates?

Many employers have the wrong idea about workplace culture. They don’t see any value in it because they think “I pay people to work so that’s what they should do.”?

Ok, fair.?

That may work out for you one day but don’t be surprised when your employee turnover matches that of McDonalds or Walmart. Attracting good candidates is one thing, keeping them is another.

The Real Problem: It’s Not a Lack of Workers

“No one wants to work these days!” you might say.

Here’s a different spin on that: “There’s lack of employee engagement.”

By detaching from the common belief that good people are hard to find, you can adopt a more practical approach and begin asking the REAL questions:

• “Why are people leaving after 6 months on average?”
• “Why aren’t they bringing their concerns to me?”
• “Why do they seem to lose interest in their duties after a few months?”

These questions guide you to the root cause of the problem. Examples include lack of support or guidance, micromanagement, non challenging work, dreary work environment, etc.

The Blueprint for a Thriving Workplace Culture

So, what is the ideal work environment/culture?

A positive work culture should promote values such as fairness, open communication, and programs to recognize individual and team achievements.

By implementing a culture where teammates are encouraged to share ideas and be their authentic selves, they become more confident in their abilities. This brings out their latent potential and unlocks the creative solutions and high-performance habits that no other employer can seem to draw out.

The Problem with Hiring Only for Aptitude

We know some corporate recruiters and employers typically look for the same thing: a stacked resume and an employee who does as they’re told.

Here’s the problem: When you hire candidates solely for aptitude and not attitude, you’re taking a chance.

Whether or not your star candidate will perform to your expectations comes down to their commitment to the team, their level of selflessness/selfishness, and team compatibility.

Yes, they have the technical skills, and they have the people skills, but if they feel no commitment to the company or the culture… they’re going to fall short on those expectations.

So, how do you find a good match?

Recognize that aptitude and attitude are equally important.?

Ask questions that no other employers ask such as “What does ‘be humble’ mean to you? What do you think about doing the right thing even when no one is looking?”

Candidates may be surprised, but their answers should give you a good idea of how they will fit into the culture that you worked hard to build.

Why a Strong Workplace Culture Benefits Everyone

Making the effort to build a top-tier workplace environment is worthwhile for everyone involved. A supportive environment, upbeat team attitude, and consistent adherence to company values creates a mentality similar to a sports team where each member has a stake in securing the win.

One last thing to consider:

Over time (and with the right values), a positive work culture can become self-sustaining.

Leadership sets the example. Junior staff members follow suit. Junior members transition to senior roles. Seniors then train new hires.

And the process repeats. No one has to say it, but everyone knows:

Here, we all strive for nothing less than excellence.