UC Goering Center news

By Amanda Shults

Many studies have been conducted that prove positive work cultures reduce stress and increase productivity. Who wouldn’t want an environment where employees feel valued and invested in their work? As business leaders, this means we have to make investments and take the time to “plan” for the culture we want.

Business plans, sales plans, all your plans are of little value if a motivated team isn’t driving them forward. Consider creating a Caring Culture Plan that empowers and promotes positive attitudes. Here are six elements for your Caring Culture Plan along with some initiatives to consider:

Create opportunities for personal and professional growth so your team can fulfill their highest potential. Support leadership development and professional development courses, replace annual reviews with bi-monthly check-ins for an ongoing conversation, and let the team member lead the way by sharing their personal goals so that you can help develop strategies that support their goals.

Encourage team members to make a difference in the lives of one another. Plan for team outings and annual gatherings where the invitation is extended to family. Provide opportunities where the team can celebrate together and share individual successes and milestones.

Provide various resources that will help team members plan, and realize, their personal (and family) goals. This can range from a Christmas Savings Club to performance bonuses and 401k profit sharing. Provide education on financial planning and identity theft so they can feel empowered to make smart financial choices.

Share educational resources and sponsor learning opportunities that will help team members in a lifelong commitment to physical and spiritual wellness. Some ideas include focusing on a character trait of the month in your team meetings, walking and water challenges, starting a group book club, virtual sessions with a dietician and having healthy lunches and snacks on hand.

Model behaviors that help preserve our environment by promoting recycling and a paperless work environment, consider LED lighting conversion, composting and using environmentally friendly cleaning supplies. Encourage your team to actively contribute in these efforts and to share ideas of their own.

Give your team the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. This may require its own annual plan, but the results are highly rewarding. Allow them time to go out into the community and give back, outline quarterly service projects and allow everyone to provide input into charitable giving opportunities.

Once you have developed your culture plan, be sure to assign a timeline for your initiatives and appoint team members to help nurture the various programs. A caring culture is intentional by design and having a plan will help you stay committed.

Amanda Shults is president of RiskSOURCE Clark-Theders. Reach Amanda at ashults@risksource.com or 513-644-1278.

RiskSOURCE Clark-Theders is a Goering Center corporate partner, and the Goering Center is sharing this content as part of its monthly newsletter, which features corporate partner articles.

Featured image at top: Photo/Nathan Dumlao/Unsplash