The results were as follows:
Good Communication: 36%
Flexible Working: 31%
Healthy Boundaries: 18%
Support: 15%
But what does this all mean?
Communication is key
Unsurprising, good communication came out on top of our poll but it’s more than what you think.
Communication can work in many ways, whether this is discussing requirements for a project to a developer, passing on notes from a meeting or being clear on someone’s responsibilities, if there is a break in communication or this is carried out poorly, then the likelihood of the outcome being negative is increased.
For many employees, good communication allows them to not only to meet managerial expectations, but ensures that they are confident in carrying out their daily tasks. In a world where remote working is the norm, being able to clearly communicate via electronic means is essential.
Importantly, an employee has to feel that they can be open with their communication, express how they feel, be confident to interject when they feel something could be tackled in a different way and not feeling scared to share.
Flexible working
One thing 2020 taught us is that productivity can’t always be measured by visibility. However, some employees have started to revert back to pre-2020 office working. But what does flexibility have to do with good work culture. Well essentially, it’s trust. An employer that trusts that the work is carried out in good faith shouldn’t feel the need to constrict an employee to a set location or even hours.
There has been great feedback from those who can fit work around their lives and still hit all the deadlines. This also works well for those who prefer to alter their hours from the traditional 9 – 5; that they may feel more productive working a 11-7.
Healthy Boundaries
Move over micro-managing and intrusive contact. That means pulling the plug on out-of-hours emails, expectation to respond to said emails and thinking it is ok to contact someone on their time off for a work-related matter.
Support
Ok, so we have all been there, you’re swamped, and the clock is running away from you when you get asked to complete another task and then another with no one there to help.
You’re never going to create a positive work culture from a team of overworked, under-resourced individuals who are close to, if not burnt out.