By Andrea Montes, member of the Baud team.
Organizations. Big or small. Innovative or traditional. Global or local. With their account balances, their production processes, their real estate. And, above all, with its greatest asset: people. Although on many occasions it is presented as an abstract and distant entity, the business reality is, in fact, the reality of all the people who make it up.
The corporate culture linked to the product or service that a company sells is always one of its highest priorities, taking care of its external image and ensuring that it transmits the desired meanings. However, it is necessary that this attention to detail is also projected in the most personal and internal sphere.
A company is people and its development depends directly on the involvement of its human team. This dedication is the result not only of individual skills but also of a joint commitment that adds towards the same direction or, what is the same, the construction of a corporate culture that favors growth and the connection between company and employee in the long run. term.
The current crisis has evidenced the strength of a solid corporate culture as a key tool to maintain unity and trust in the face of possible uncertainties and, at the same time, has highlighted the complexity that its optimal management implies. In a context in which the vast majority of the cultural elements that favor social exchange and human connection have been reduced, the challenge is clear:
How to create a corporate culture that reinforces the role of the employee as an essential piece in the good running of the company.
Far from being a vague or ethereal process, the construction of a corporate culture is based on the discipline of creating common habits that favor the well-being of people while having a positive impact on the progress of the business.
Refocused leadership
First of all, let's start at the top. Traditional leadership as we understood it until a few months ago is beginning to fade because the elements of recognition of it are being lost in the new context of offshoring work. Thus, leadership must refocus and guide the employee from efficiency to resilience. Today, leaders are needed who create confidence, who trust in the autonomy of their team and who inspire a common purpose from their own example.
Personal welfare
Second, let's understand that there is no corporate culture without personal wellness. Each employee must be listened to and understood in all its dimensions (personal, professional and social). Only then, and thanks to this deep knowledge of the team, is the company able to introduce adaptation as a pillar around which the corporate culture revolves. An organization must anticipate and respond to the needs of its employees to create an atmosphere of well-being that is emotionally satisfying and rewarding. A corporate culture that is not static, but rather opens up to people's reality and integrates innovation without losing its own essence.
Casual and inclusive culture
Third, let's strengthen ties. Teleworking has drastically impacted on the sense of belonging and the sense of community of organizations. Therefore, now a “casual” culture that favors inclusion and dialogue beyond business activity. Informal conversations, sharing a coffee or celebrating a special day are moments that should not be missed because they are far away, indeed, they should be fostered through technology. A united team is much more than a team.
Shared purpose
And finally, let's select talent in tune. Searching for new hires is a complex process that requires the perfect balance between knowledge and intuition. Today companies need people who share your purpose and strive for that common goal. This is transforming the recruiting processes. Academic degrees or professional resume are not the first selection filter, but, increasingly, the identification between the personality and aspirations of the candidate with the values of the organization plays a crucial role.
Today, when it has been proven that employees are the driving force of companies even in the most complex moments. Today, more than ever, your well-being must be prioritized through the construction of a corporate culture that invites you to feel involved, to contribute knowing that you receive, to connect more than professionals, people.
A company grows only when its employees also grow so, before looking at the market, the competition or the future, let's look within and take care of the one thing that we cannot replace. Because, let's not forget, there is no better brand ambassador than a proud team that is where it wants to be.
_