10 Red Flags That Suggest You Need to Create a Healthier Company Culture was originally published on Ivy Exec.
It might be difficult to admit that your company culture is struggling. After all, many companies pride themselves on providing safe spaces for employees and being collaborative and empowering places to work.
Plus, many people prioritize culture when they’re job hunting. A Glassdoor survey polled over 5,000 workers from the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany finds that 77 percent “consider a company’s culture” before entertaining the idea of working there.
Company culture is important for a thousand reasons – from increased morale and motivation to higher retention rates and increased revenue. But even companies with the best cultures need to take a step back to regularly evaluate operations and ensure that how they’re doing business still aligns with their values and overall mission.
If you’re unsure about your company culture or have concerns surrounding it, here are ten red flags that suggest it’s time to create a healthier one.
1⃣ High turnover
If you’re experiencing higher-than-average turnover, it might be a tell-tale sign that your company culture is pushing people away. Employees who are dissatisfied with the current culture may feel inclined to look for a job elsewhere, where the culture is a better fit for them.
2⃣ Low engagement
A poor company culture almost always leads to low engagement. If your employees are not enthusiastic about or motivated to do their work, it may be because they don’t agree with the company culture. A collaborative culture, however, can help encourage them.
3⃣ Communications gaps
A lack of open communication can result from a negative company culture. Your employees may not feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, ideas, or concerns. This can cause tension amongst employees and result in the business missing out on novel ideas from all levels of the organization.
4⃣ Overall tension
If you notice that workplace conflicts are common – and/or the ones that occur are unresolved – it may be because of your company culture. A positive company culture encourages cross-team collaboration and healthy debate. People should be open to feedback, and those who give it should be careful and constructive to avoid conflict.
5⃣ Little or no work-life balance
Work-life balance is essential in keeping employees happy, healthy, and, therefore, productive. If your employees lack balance, they may find themselves highly stressed or burnt out. Burnout can lead to high turnover and wasted resources like time.
6⃣ Reluctant to change
If your employees seem to be resistant to change, it may be because they lack trust in their leadership. A lack of trust in leadership is a major red flag that the company culture is not where it should be. A positive company culture, on the other hand, shows signs of innovation and growth.
7⃣ Team silos
Departments or teams within your company should be working together. After all, while each team has its initiatives and goals, they should all be working toward the same larger company goals – and supporting each other in getting there. Silos happen when a company culture does not encourage cross-team collaboration or prioritizes some teams’ goals over others.
8⃣ Micromanagement
If you sense that the other leaders in your company are micromanaging, it could be a red flag that the company culture is negative. Micromanagement can stifle creativity and autonomy. Employees who feel micromanaged may not feel trusted either, which can take a toll on morale and, ultimately, results.
9⃣ Slow to no employee growth
If employees seem to be doing the bare minimum – just getting by, flying under the radar – it may be because they don’t feel motivated to do more. A lack of employee development can lead to stagnancy in the company. It can also cause turnover if employees don’t feel like they’re gaining anything professionally.
Negative reviews
Plain and simple: You might see a negative review about your company culture on platforms like Glassdoor, Fairygodboss, Indeed, and other job sites. Current and former employees use these sites to understand the company better and others’ experiences there. If someone feels like your company culture is lacking, they may very well share that opinion online for others to see.
The bottom line
If you notice these red flags regarding your company culture, don’t panic. Again, all companies must stop and look in the mirror from time to time – and no company will ever see a perfect reflection.
It is, however, important to take proactive steps to create a healthier company culture so that your employees feel safe and supported. Listening to employee feedback, addressing specific issues, and revisiting values and any policies in place can help. Just remember: Building a company culture you are proud of is an ongoing effort.
