Can Improving Office Culture Build Your Bottom Line?

Create a warm, beautiful office culture. Like Arizona. In January.

As a manager, owner or entrepreneur, your day is probably already full.  You’ve got the budget, the clients, the reports, the putting-out-of-the-fires, the employee issues . . .

With all that, the issue of office culture seems pretty academic and distant.

Because, yes.  Employees complain and gossip.  Supervisors cover their bums.  Hours are long and money is tight.  But your focus is on the next seventeen things on your to-do list.

Addressing a negative office culture takes time, money and energy away from the thing that matters, ie, the bottom line.  Is it worth it?

According to Dr. Emma M. Seppala, the answer to this question is a very loud and well-substantiated “Yes!”

Applying some of your admittedly scant resources to improving the office culture will ultimately improve your bottom line, which strengthens your company and benefits you and the workers.  “…Culture trumps strategy in predicting performance,” says Seppala.   A positive work culture improves creativity, builds a strong, resilient team and builds employee loyalty.

Portland mental health specialist and social justice advocate, Elisabeth Fincher says, “Culture is extremely important and will combat politics if there is good leadership.  I loved watching Leeza Gibbons on Apprentice this season . . . watching her leadership skill combat the power.  She created a positive culture by her positivity and by playing nice despite the despicable behavior of others.”

Gibbons pulled off the impressive feat of winning with not one cast member turning on her or even uttering an unfavorable comment — chalk it up to really good people skills.

My favorite quote (I’ve probably mentioned this before), is the Hindu proverb “Help thy brother’s boat across, and Lo!  Thine own has reached the shore.”  Or, as Leeza Gibbons says, “My life motto is ever forward.  Focus on what’s in front of you, stop looking at what’s behind you.”

Build that attitude into your work culture and you’ll improve productivity and build a powerful team where employees feel secure, empowered and valued.