What Is Workplace Culture and How To Build a Positive One

In any workplace, workplace culture is a vital aspect that affects every facet of the business. It's the personality of a company. It shapes how employees interact with each other and their work. 

This is why having a positive workplace culture can tremendously impact employee morale, engagement, and productivity. It creates a sense of belonging and motivates employees to work towards a common goal. This helps contribute to an organisation's success.

Once you understand company culture, you can work towards building a positive workplace culture. We'll provide practical tips and strategies to help you cultivate the ideal positive environment. Here's what we'll cover: 

• What is company culture?
• Types of company culture 
• What is the workplace culture in Singapore like?
• Why is it important to build a positive company culture?
• Elements of workplace culture
• Examples of great workplace cultures
• Examples of negative workplace cultures
• How to build a strong company culture
• How to sustain a positive work culture
• Conclusion
• FAQs

What is company culture?

Company culture is part of workplace culture that includes the values, behaviours, and expectations that define the work environment. It also includes how people interact and work toward the company's vision and mission. 

A healthy company culture helps create a positive atmosphere in the workplace. It encourages employee engagement and commitment. This can contribute to the organisation's overall success and reputation.

In contrast, organisational culture is even bigger than company culture. It includes everything that affects employees' behaviour, such as their values, beliefs, and rules. Workplace culture is a part of organisational culture. The definition of workplace culture focuses more on how people act and feel in their work environment. It's all about the everyday interactions and experiences of the employees there.

Various elements help shape workplace culture, including: 

• leadership style
• communication practices
• values and ethics
• scope for innovation and creativity 
• recognition and reward systems
• physical work environment
• work-life balance

Leaders play a crucial role in setting the tone for values and decision-making. They're responsible for understanding the employees' concerns, collecting feedback, and incorporating them in the workplace. They also play an essential role in guiding and motivating employees to collaborate to fulfil their professional goals. Other factors to consider include recognition and rewards, which affect motivation and contribute to a culture of appreciation. Overall, supporting work-life balance through the best policies contributes to a positive culture.

Types of company culture

Workplace culture is different for many organisations. Business professors Robert E. Quinn and Kim Cameron define four main types of company culture:

• Adhocracy culture: This creative and fast-paced environment values innovation and stresses individual ownership. 
• Clan culture: This collaborative culture thrives on teamwork and values each employee's input.
• Hierarchy culture: This structured work environment follows established roles and processes.
• Market culture: This goal-oriented work culture focuses on achieving targets and attaining objectives.

Each company's culture is unique, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach. For example, an organisation's size can affect the success of any of these culture types. Other elements that may affect the culture include structure and objectives. That's why taking a step back and understanding company culture is important. 

What is the workplace culture in Singapore like?

Workplace culture can vary between multinational companies and the public sector. In general, Singaporean workplaces follow a hierarchical culture with authority structures and a code of conduct. In this, there's an expectation for strict adherence to company rules and regulations. There is a clear definition of roles, responsibilities, and respect for hierarchical positions. This helps in promoting teamwork and reaching common corporate goals. There's a stronger emphasis on collective achievement over individual accomplishments. 

Employers expect punctuality in the workplace. This promotes streamlining of tasks and greater efficiency. They also expect employees to document and maintain transparent communication with stakeholders. Most companies adopt 44 hours per week working hours with an upper limit of 48 hours. Under the Employment Act, industries such as manufacturing, security, and defence may need you to work overtime with extra pay.

Workplaces also encourage everyone to be diplomatic in communicating for better conflict resolution. This helps in preserving employees' dignity while also being open to feedback.

As the Singaporean workplace culture can be quite strict, it’s important to find ways to imbue a positive workplace culture in this setting for the benefit of everyone working in the company.

Why is it important to build a positive company culture?

Whether they’re working remotely or in an office, employees like to feel a strong connection with their co-workers. They want to understand what their company stands for and what they're working towards. In other words, they want a happy and positive work environment that supports them and their needs. 

However, a positive work environment is only possible only when people have meaningful jobs, can talk openly with each other, share ideas, and can freely express themselves. This also goes a long way in helping companies attract and retain good employees. 

A positive work environment changes and matures based on what the workers need and think. It can also help fix existing problems in the workplace and help employees do their jobs better.

Elements of workplace culture

Leaders and managers can improve staff behaviour by handling the important elements of workplace culture. This can create a welcoming environment that keeps competent people around. As a leader, here's what you can do to improve work culture:

• Promote teamwork and collaboration. It can encourage a sense of unity and cooperation amongst employees. 
• Allow employees to take part in the decision-making process. This helps them share their knowledge and feel valued. 
• Give recognition and rewards to deserving employees. This helps boost morale and motivation. 
• Ensure alignment between the company's language, values, and actions to create consistency. This builds trust and confidence in the organisation. 
• Offer competitive compensation and benefits. This shows appreciation for employees, enhancing their job satisfaction.
• Encourage a healthy work-life balance to promote well-being and reduce stress.
• Treat staff with compassion and respect. This creates a supportive and respectful atmosphere. 
• Build a diverse and inclusive workforce. This results in various viewpoints and sparks creativity.

Examples of great workplace cultures

A happy work environment is when everyone enjoys their job and works well together, encouraging them to stay for a long time. That happens when everyone shares common values and goals. Here are five good workplace culture examples that companies can learn from:

Task-oriented culture

Some companies focus on getting tasks done efficiently. Team members work hard and enjoy collective success. To build this culture, ensure good training and development programs are in place. Let employees show they can be efficient and give them clear tasks and deadlines.

Results-driven culture

In this culture, the company sets clear goals that everyone can see. Team members report on how their work contributes to these goals. Celebrate meaningful goals and be transparent about progress. This keeps everyone motivated.

Connected culture

In a connected culture, employees feel accepted and valued. Team members care about each other, and leaders focus on good communication. This keeps employees productive and organised. Consider team-building activities to help build these connections, even if people work from home.

Innovative culture

An innovative culture inspires new and creative ideas. The company encourages creative thinking and sees failure as a learning opportunity. To strengthen this culture, set aside a day for new ideas. For example, encourage employees to share their creative suggestions and incentivise them. Implementing these ideas may go a long way in making company processes more efficient.

Fun-at-work culture

A good workplace is also a fun place. There's a positive atmosphere, and people enjoy their work. To nurture this kind of culture, celebrate achievements. Schedule fun team-building activities and let employees display their unique personalities. It also allows employees to learn more about their co-workers. 

Examples of negative workplace cultures

Leaders can learn a lot from bad company culture. Knowing the signs of a toxic culture and how to change it can help prevent or fix a poor work environment. Here are some warning signs:

High employee turnover 

Employees leaving a company may mean the work atmosphere isn't good and doesn't align with their work ethics and values. Or, they're not seeing growth in their professional career. To prevent this, try helping the team with proper training, tools, and chances to grow. High employee turnover is often expensive and affects an organisation's reputation and culture. 

Lack of communication

Teamwork and success need good communication. A manager who doesn't encourage working together may create an environment where employees feel isolated and undervalued. It can also result in misunderstandings, missed information, and inefficiencies. Over time, team members might quit the workplace to seek better opportunities elsewhere. 

Poor work-life balance 

It's not good when people have to work a lot without breaks. Employers may think it helps boost productivity, but it hurts their employees' morale. This can have a negative effect on their productivity. Allow for frequent breaks and fun activities to keep them motivated. 

Not rewarding excellent workers

Employees may leave if a company doesn't pay or reward its best workers. Leaders need to show they appreciate good work. Try using incentives or tangible rewards to show employees you value their work and motivate them further. 

Poor management styles

An ineffective or poor management style can affect the organisation negatively. Signs that a manager isn't effective include a high-stress environment, unhappy team members, and a higher turnover rate. Employees should feel comfortable talking to managers about workplace concerns whenever necessary. 

How to build a strong company culture

Having a strong company culture is important for business success. Let's break down the steps for building or changing the workplace culture in your company. 

Define your values

Start by figuring out what values are important to the company. That includes how people treat each other and what the work expectations are. Gather the leadership team and decide on the values you want to be at the core of the company culture. Some examples include sustainability, respect, transparency, kindness, equality, and innovation. 

Set goals

Just like you set goals for the business, you can do the same for the company culture. Consider your values and how you want to apply them. For instance, set goals like ensuring an inclusive workplace to promote diversity. If work-life balance is key, set a goal for every employee to take some time off each year. Having clear objectives helps turn your ideas into action. 

Ask the team

Employees form the core part of a workplace culture. It's important to understand their concerns. You can send surveys to learn what they like and what could be better. After taking feedback, make sure to incorporate them effectively. 

Make a plan

Think about how to bring the culture into everyday work. For example, give time off for cultural holidays to create an inclusive environment. Company culture is all about how people experience work every day. 

How to sustain a positive work culture

Creating a positive workplace culture is fantastic, but it's equally important to sustain it. Here are some tips you can follow:

Leadership commitment

• As a leader, show a positive attitude. It sets the tone for the workplace.
• Keep everyone informed about the company's values and goals to motivate employees to work collectively.
• Try to involve employees as part of the decision-making process. It makes them feel valued and heard. 

Employee involvement

• Create a work environment that motivates employees to work together in a team and share ideas. This can be beneficial for the company's long-term growth and success.
• Acknowledge and celebrate achievements, both big and small. Recognising hard work boosts employee morale and encourages a positive environment.

Continuous improvement

• Be open to change and be willing to adapt. A strong culture evolves with the needs and dynamics of the team.
• Provide opportunities for skill development and professional growth. Investing in employees helps them feel valued and supported. 

Conclusion

Understanding workplace culture enables you to shape a workplace that aligns with the organisation's beliefs and improves team performance. Whether you're already working on the company culture or starting fresh, know that your actions make a positive difference. So, let's come together to keep workplace vibes positive and encouraging.

FAQs

1. Can positive company culture lead to increased productivity?
   ⁠Yes, a strong workplace culture can boost output. Employees who feel motivated, supported, and engaged work more efficiently and creatively. This can lead to increased productivity.
   ⁠
2. How does positive workplace culture affect employee turnover rates?
   ⁠A great company culture often reduces employee turnover rates. Employees who enjoy their work environment, feel valued, and connect to the company's values are more likely to stay. This leads to lower turnover.
   ⁠
3. What are the benefits of a positive company culture?
   ⁠A healthy work culture has many benefits. It improves employee morale, productivity, and collaboration. It also lowers turnover rates and encourages creativity and innovation. An organisation with a positive culture can also attract top employees. They are also more likely to recommend the company to their friends.
   ⁠
4. How does workplace culture affect employees?
   ⁠Workplace culture influences employees' attitudes, behaviours, and job satisfaction. A positive culture fosters a sense of belonging, motivation, positive feeling, and overall well-being. A negative culture can lead to stress in the workplace. It can also lead to dissatisfaction and decreased productivity.
   ⁠
5. Why is leadership commitment important in building a positive workplace culture?
   ⁠Leadership commitment is crucial to building a positive workplace culture. Leaders who commit to positive values and behaviours and set examples establish a strong company culture. Employees are more likely to follow suit when leadership promotes a positive culture.
   ⁠
6. What is the difference between organisational culture vs. workplace culture?
   ⁠Organisational culture is more extensive than workplace culture. It includes employees' beliefs and values. It also consists of the practices and processes that define the organisation. Workplace culture is part of the organisational culture. It's how employees interact with each other and behave in their work environment.
   ⁠
7. How is the work-life balance in Singapore's workplace culture? 
   ⁠In some situations, companies may need employees to work overtime or take on extra work. This can disrupt the work-life balance. However, companies are working towards improving this by providing flexibilities such as hybrid work models. 
   ⁠
8. How do companies in Singapore address the multilingual nature of their workforce?
   ⁠English is the primary language for communication in the workplace. However, companies also embrace their staff's multilingual capabilities. They do this by embracing languages like Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil. This is particularly crucial for employees in customer-facing roles. It also helps them interact with their co-workers in office settings and informal events to build rapport. 
   ⁠
9. What's the scope for professional development in the workplace? 
   ⁠Employers emphasize the need for upskilling and professional development. They do this by providing learning paths and courses. This helps employees take on more responsibilities. It also lets them work on challenging problems and focus on continuous learning. 
   ⁠
10. What are the preferred ways of communication in Singaporean workplaces?
    ⁠Companies prefer their employees to have face-to-face interactions during stakeholder meetings, networking events, and other occasions. This is to build trust and strengthen relationships in the workplace.