Company culture is not static, even when we work remotely; it simply evolves in a different way. New cultural rules and principles are still created every day, and then reinforced through observation and practice.
Note that it is easy to confuse climate with culture, especially when the distance factor affects how a team interacts. Work climate refers to the atmosphere that pervades interactive spaces, be it physical or virtual, every day. Culture goes deeper – it is the set of values to which the company adheres.
You can establish positive, meaningful cultural practices in a remote or hybrid setting using these five strategies.
Part of Everything
It is not enough to declare a mission statement embodies your company’s culture, and then reiterate it occasionally. Instead, that culture should be the cornerstone of everything that your company does. Its presence should be felt in how team members communicate with each other, whether that is face to face, through a Zoom screen, or via e-mail. It should guide your press releases and the way your clients are treated.
Incorporating the New
A change of environment is a tricky time to infuse culture because we take cultural cues from our physical surroundings. For that reason, an employee sitting at home in their pajamas is less likely to adhere to established standards. Your approach should be to reinforce the same adherence in spite of the new setting. Through repetition, the elements of company culture will entrench themselves, no matter where your employees are.
Identify Unique Challenges
When our work and home lives overlap, so do our professional and domestic responsibilities. Managers who appreciate this fact and build company culture around its unique hurdles will be far more effective at establishing that culture in a remote workplace. One example would be to understand that childcare shortages mean that parents may be unavailable during school drop-off and pick-up hours.
Using Tools Correctly
As the use of online collaboration software has exploded, so has the sophistication of these tools. With remote interaction easier, faster, and more accessible than ever before, there are few excuses to not drive culture from your position as a manager. Communicate the necessary emphases to your team leaders and have them convey the message to their own departments. With an established framework to communicate culture, there is little difference between office and remote settings.
Use Teamwork
People emulate those they like and trust. No structured corporate cohesion exercise can match the real camaraderie that is established when team members work closely together.
Use that to drive culture through regular company interactions. Pair team members that embody the company’s values with those who lag behind, and with new hires. Step up to the plate yourself and engage with team members as often as you can. Show them how you incorporate company culture into your own routine, both at and outside of work. For assistance in the development of a strong company culture, reach out to me today. Let’s get started.
