Startup Work Culture: 4 Building Blocks
What are the critical ingredients for building a thriving startup work culture? Will some free coffee do the trick? No!
Entrepreneurs cannot rely solely on themselves to drive results, especially in the long haul. Having a team that can shoulder responsibilities is as important as the product or service itself, if not more.
When you start your own business, investing in the right people can be a gamechanger. In the case of startups, the conditions are so dynamic that they need individuals who adapt quickly and are committed to facing challenges because let’s face it- there is simply no dearth of them.
And once you find the right people? Well, now, you have to give them the right environment by building a healthy work culture. The right combination of these two will set you up for success. Let’s look at how startups can create the right environment for team members.
Lead by Example
As an entrepreneur, you must have certain work ideals and values that you hold dear, which you want to see in your team. The best way to get them out there is by following them to the T yourself. In an early-stage startup, the team is dependent on the founder for key signals and direction. There is bound to be chaos if the founder doesn’t lead from the front.
The startup’s values and work ethic should be laid out up front, with the senior management practising the same. It is also not necessary that the culture you define will remain constant over time. As the team grows, and as you learn, you might feel the need to do things differently. The only crucial element is to keep the team informed to know what is expected of them.
As tempting as it may be, do not blindly copy another company’s culture. As an entrepreneur, you are allowed to have your own set of rights and wrongs, and it is best to build the company keeping those in mind.
Collaborate With the Team
One-sided decision-making is a major red flag for startups. In fact, the most successful teams are built on mutual respect and collaboration, where everybody’s contributions are valued. While it is necessary for founders to start off discussions and outline key aspects, the team should be encouraged to pitch in with ideas freely.
It is sometimes difficult for founders to look at things from a different perspective, and a collaborative environment can save them from one-dimensional thinking. A collaborative workplace can instil a sense of ownership and responsibility among employees since their views can significantly impact decision-making.
When your team knows that it will be heard and is appreciated, it automatically sets a good mood and boosts morale. It is necessary to build a culture of shared knowledge and respect for individual opinions.
Communication is Key
Regular communication with the team is a crucial part of strong work culture. Communication within the workforce and between the management and employees should be free and transparent from day one. When so many people are working towards the same goal, everyone must be kept in confidence with timely updates.
Transparency and sharing information is absolutely essential to make employees feel like they are a vital cog in the organisation. It gives them a sense of belonging and creates a positive mindset for productive work.
It is also vital that your team feels safe at the workplace and can discuss any obstacles that they may be facing. The world of startups is daunting even for the most experienced people, so as founders, you must be understanding and willing to help those working with you. Create an environment where failures are discussed as often as successes.
Hire Carefully
Not everyone with a perfect resume will be the right fit for your team. Instead of hiring the cream of the lot, focus on hiring those that share your vision and can fit well into the startup. Those that are committed to navigating through challenges in a fast-paced environment and have the potential to be dedicated team players are the ones to go for.
You have to understand that a startup is run differently than traditional businesses and those that come with the best skill set may not perform as expected when unusual situations arise. After you know the positions you have to fill, keep an eye out for those individuals who can think out of the box and contribute beyond just their domain knowledge.
The point to remember is that strong work culture cannot be sustained without the team putting its best foot forward. It’s the people that make or break the team. If you have the means, consider investing in a few individuals from the HR background who can scout for and find the right talent. It can pay great dividends going forward.
Bottomline
Building a strong startup work culture is not a day’s job and needs to be enforced continuously. However, once built, it can help you drive home brilliant results can further assist each employee in attaining some kind of personal and professional growth.
As founders, continue to engage with your employees beyond work so that everyone can get along well. And of course, some free coffee and snacks never hurt anybody!
