How to Maintain Culture in a Remote Work Setting?

What is Work Culture?

Workplace culture comprises the beliefs, values, and practices a company abides by. It is what defines the company and its employees – keeping them united like glue. It is a leader’s or mentor’s responsibility to inspire and nurture a thriving team environment. 

However, like anything, there are some challenges to this process. Team dynamics require synergy, which is difficult to maintain when working with different personalities. According to statistics, 85% of employees that do not enjoy a good work culture and are not connected to the workplace. This means that employees who aren’t engaged are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, and burnout. 

This only makes it more important to implement employee retention strategies and foster a productive work culture. 

Let us show you how to do exactly that! ✅

Read more: What is Telecommuting?

Why is Work Culture Important?

Work culture plays a pivotal role in shaping every aspect of a business, influencing elements like work ethics, communication style, and employee perks. When a company's culture resonates with its employees, it fosters a sense of comfort, support, and appreciation among the workforce. Such a positive work culture enables companies to navigate through tough times and adapt to changes more effectively, emerging stronger than before.

Moreover, a strong work culture becomes a powerful asset in attracting top talent and gaining a competitive edge. Studies show that a significant number of job seekers (77%) consider the cultural fit of a company before applying, and a substantial portion of employees (almost 50%) would willingly switch to a lower-paying job in an organization with a better culture. This demonstrates that the organizational culture is a crucial determinant of employee satisfaction, driving around two-thirds (65%) of employees to remain committed to their current job.

How to Maintain Culture in a Remote Work Setting? 

Remote work is demanding in the effort it needs to foster a thriving team environment. In a remote setting, employees can feel more disconnected and detached than normal. Productivity is stilted when outside the office – so, it is crucial to maintain remote relationships and teamwork. Employees who feel a sense of connectedness tend to work harder, more efficiently and have higher levels of well-being. 

[fs-toc-omit]1. Nurture a supportive work culture. 

Encourage employees to be creative and confident with their work. It improves employee satisfaction and builds interpersonal relationships. Team members can collaborate and experiment with ideas if everyone receives an equally supportive atmosphere. 

[fs-toc-omit]2. Hire remote work-compatible employees.

Initiate constructing the company culture by recruiting candidates that are a cultural fit. Not every employee prefers remote work, so limit your staff to those who enjoy it. Employ cultural fit interviews to determine which candidate matches the company's values in the long term.

[fs-toc-omit]3. Remind remote workers of company values and beliefs. 

Clarify the brand identity and work ethic required by the company culture. The management needs to exemplify the company’s mission statement to inspire them and instill a sense of purpose. Additionally, you can ask the employees for their personal interpretation of company values. 

[fs-toc-omit]4. Schedule routine check-ins and 1-on-1 meetings.

Inquire into your employee’s work trajectory by regularly hosting employee engagement meetings. Build rapport and cultivate trust through virtual coffee chats, then administer surveys for genuine feedback on the work and team culture. This makes the employee, and their opinions feel valued and respected. 

[fs-toc-omit]5. Use remote productivity tools and softwares to stay organized.

There are several applications that are well-known for remote work. For example, use Zoom to host video calls, webinars, meetings, or interviews. You can utilize Slack for instant communication and transference of data, information, ideas, and plans. Similarly, you can use Basecamp for project management via division of workload and smoother workflow. Additionally, some companies use  Discord for real-time interaction, role-division, and personalized communication.  

[fs-toc-omit]How can I maintain culture in a virtual work environment?

Create a communicative, responsive, and supportive environment. Ensure your team members feel a sense of belonging and commitment to their work. Celebrate milestones and grant regular recognition for added motivation boosts. Alongside this, provide and ask for feedback regarding the employee’s performance and social experience. 

Most importantly, establish clear expectations of what the company culture expects so that employees comply and work accordingly from the get-go. 

[fs-toc-omit]What are some ways to celebrate team wins virtually?

One way to celebrate team wins is through game nights. Let your employees relax by hosting a fun, bonding experience through virtual games or trivia nights. It creates healthy competition and makes for lots of laughs! 

You can also send gifts or incentivize goal competition to demonstrate your appreciation. These can include specialized office swag, tech-devices, bonuses, and more! 

How Culture Is Created Through Effective Leadership? 

Open communication, synergy, and innovation are three very important pillars of a thriving team culture. The leader is responsible for nurturing these to take their team to growth and productivity. However, leadership is an intricate path to navigate, and understanding the importance of a supportive environment is easier than its implementation. That’s where we come in! 

[fs-toc-omit]1. Hard work, skill building, and open-mindedness are key in an inspiring leader! 

As a leader, mentor, or manager, you can create the right atmosphere and lead by example to encourage a tight-knit and inspired team. You must self-reflect and grow as a professional to push your employees to do the same. Here are a few ways in which a leader can foster a thriving team culture. 

[fs-toc-omit]2. Begin by creating a shared vision and mission statement!

Also known as clarifying your expectations from the employees, results, and overall company culture. Get your team involved in deciding what their preferred work and engagement style is. Then, integrate some with the company values to create a beautiful harmony between employee and employer expectations. This gives the team a focus and direction in terms of their work and beliefs.

[fs-toc-omit]3. Always remember to practice what you preach! 

Employees look to leaders who set an example and are consistent with their words and actions. It’s important that you work on becoming a reliable leader who is articulate and confident. Set clear goals and hold yourself accountable for mistakes and failures. Employees who see their superiors lead with honesty, integrity, and grace are likely to do the same. 

[fs-toc-omit]4. Most importantly, create a safe environment for constructive criticism and honest feedback! 

Initiate a routine team or 1-on-1 meeting with your employees to get deeper insights into the team and its functioning. A leader may miss out on details by having an outside point of view. Try to interact and participate with your team and listen to their concerns, suggestions, and appreciations. Build rapport so they feel comfortable enough to share controversial or unpopular opinions that create new perspectives. This fosters connections and active contributions to the company. 

[fs-toc-omit]5. Throw in some fun team-building activities and events! 

A great way to foster a successful and strong team culture is to introduce some fun game ideas! Attempt to incentivize creativity, innovation, and critical thinking. Through HR games, create bonding experiences and healthy competition which promotes teamwork and communication. It motivates teams to perform better and boosts morale!

[fs-toc-omit]How can I encourage open communication and feedback with my team?

Start by creating a psychologically safe environment without judgment or backlash. This enables employees to present new and fresh ideas that you might not have thought of. Create a question or feedback box where employees can anonymously put in alternative ways to work or operate. 

Additionally, refine your listening skills. Refrain from passive listening and show genuine interest in your employee's words. This inspires confidence and open communication. Look after aspects such as body language, eye contact, and facial expressions to show your employee their word is valued.

[fs-toc-omit]What are some team-building activities that can help foster a positive workplace culture?

Some activities involve company sports, trivia nights, Pictionary, scavenger hunts, and escape rooms. 

Cultivating Culture Through Hiring and Onboarding 

The onboarding process is an overlooked goldmine that has the potential to create and solidify a bustling and prosperous company culture and team environment. Implementing the best onboarding practices allows you to screen and hire employees that are an exact cultural fit. This places the company two steps ahead in nurturing a thriving team. 

[fs-toc-omit]1. The onboarding training phase is your biggest weapon! 

Through the onboarding process, HR can utilize training and development opportunities to reinforce cultural values and strengthen the overall company culture and team dynamics. During onboarding, incorporate scenarios, projects, or examples that reflect the company’s cultural values. Training can promote cultural awareness and create an inclusive work environment. 

Moreover, training new hires can also create opportunities for them to practice cultural values. If teamwork is the emphasis, then engage your employees in collaborative and team projects. Let them enhance the skills which align with the organization’s values. 

[fs-toc-omit]2. Before the onboarding process, be proactive and hire employees that are a cultural fit! 

Take steps to ensure that the new hires are aligned with company culture. This automatically guarantees a smooth integration with the team and at a larger extent, the company.  Hiring the best talent for your team will result in greater efficiency, speedier results, and a boost in overall performance.

[fs-toc-omit]3. However, the process must be structured properly to produce cultural harmony!

The reduction of any complications or unnecessary intricacies will allow for a seamless process for the employer and new hire. An organized onboarding process creates a good first impression which is needed to nurture cooperation and mutual respect. 

To achieve this, remove any extra paperwork, frequently check up on the new hires, involve experienced employees, and develop an organized training program. Signal the company culture through a refined onboarding process to impress new hires and create a sense of loyalty and commitment toward the organization. 

[fs-toc-omit]4. Additionally, the presence of employees during hiring helps create a strong work culture. 

Including team members in the hiring and onboarding process enforces cultural values, ensures cultural fits, and generates a strong team culture. Pre-existing employees have in-depth and first-hand knowledge of the company culture. Therefore, their involvement will ensure cultural fit and cultural add hires.   

[fs-toc-omit]How can I ensure new hires align with our company culture?

Begin by detailing your company values and mission statement on your website or social media platforms. Candidates can easily access this information when researching the company, therefore deciding if they are a good fit for the company themselves. 

Another foolproof way to that new hires align with company culture is to hold cultural fit interviews. These are specifically curated to identify a candidate's personal values and if they fit with the organization. 

[fs-toc-omit]What should I include in my onboarding process to emphasize our company culture?

The onboarding process usually consists of skill and policy training sessions for the new hires. Through these, a lot of heavy lifting is done when educating new employees about the company culture. 

You can emphasize cultural policies such as inclusivity, collaboration, health, fitness routine and wellness, etc. through training.In addition, you can hone the new hire’s skills which are beneficial for sustaining the company culture. 

How to Navigate Organizational Culture During Change 

Change can be intimidating and daunting. Change can also be frequent, sudden, or take different forms. Companies can get acquired, merge, and have a change in leadership and also culture! This carries a grave impact on the workplace culture and team dynamics. 

Even if it is a positive change, it can cause employees to backstep and consider alternative career paths than the one they have. Helping employees embrace change and adapt to it is important in building a collaborative environment. 

[fs-toc-omit]1. Devise a strategy to maintain culture during change. 

Begin by tackling the company approach and attitude towards the change. The management team and superiors must carry an approachable and welcoming attitude for any questions or inquiries the employees might have. Set a common goal and update your employees to tackle the change alongside them, as a team. 

Moreover, confront and evaluate any challenges that arrive to ensure effective problem-solving. Hold a meeting with your team to brainstorm creative crisis management strategies and predict future obstacles. 

[fs-toc-omit]2. Emphasize communication and transparency!

During this time, employees can feel frustrated due to the lack of information on the big change. As part of the company, they deserve to know the important details which concern the status and nature of their work. Paying attention to the sincere feedback of your employees regarding the change can help you assess its complete effect, which in turn enables you to devise strategies to navigate through it.

[fs-toc-omit]3. Allows opportunities for feedback and input!

Fostering an authentic and honest environment means promoting open communication and feedback. Integrate weekly surveys or questionnaires to analyse how the change is being perceived and dealt with. From this, create strategies to overcome any challenges and transition seamlessly into the new phase.

[fs-toc-omit]4. Stay true to your core values.

It is important to stay firm in your work culture and values so that your employees don’t feel confused. Wavering in your work style, ethics, or approach can fluster and upset your employee, making change more difficult. Additionally, you can build project roadmaps that align with your company culture and give your employees a foundational focus.

[fs-toc-omit]What are some strategies for managing cultural shifts during a merger or acquisition?

Change can be a challenging experience, especially when it comes to managing cultural shifts during mergers or acquisitions. To ensure a smooth transition, companies should adopt several strategies. 

Firstly, it's important to understand the cultures of both companies involved and identify any potential conflicts. Secondly, creating a shared vision can help unite the two cultures and give employees a clear understanding of the new organization's direction. Thirdly, leaders should communicate clearly and consistently with employees to address any concerns or questions

Lastly, you can train and support employees to help them adapt to any cultural changes.

[fs-toc-omit]What should I do if our company culture is not aligned with our new business direction?

It’s crucial to take steps to bring the two company cultures into alignment. This starts with assessing the current situation, defining the desired culture that aligns with the new direction, and communicating this vision to employees. 

A plan must be developed and executed that includes initiatives like training, development, and engagement activities. Employee input should be sought, and progress should be monitored closely with adjustments made when necessary. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, fostering a thriving work culture requires intentional effort and dedication. Throughout this article, we discussed various strategies for creating a positive team environment, including effective communication, organized onboarding, and encouraging employee feedback. 

It's important to remember that maintaining a strong work culture is crucial to the success of any organization, and implementing these strategies can help you achieve that. By prioritizing your employees' well-being and investing in your work culture, you can create a positive and productive workplace that benefits everyone.