In the course of running a company, one of the main tasks you’ll face is building a culture. A business is only as good as its internal operation. If you’re not an HR expert, this can be one of the most challenging aspects of being an entrepreneur. The reason: When the time comes to start bringing on new hands, you may find it extremely difficult to balance a plethora of personalities to work as a single, efficient unit.
A report by Dale Carnegie Training underlined this issue: It found that a collective $11 billion is lost each year in the process of re-hiring, re-training and re-development. The end goal for shaping culture in the workplace should be a professional environment where employees want to stick around for the long haul.
How do you achieve that? Here are four pieces of advice to keep in mind as you’re building your own company culture:
1. Lead by example.
Throughout history, one of the most commonly observed characteristics in effective leaders has been their ability to work on the front lines with their subordinates. Theodore Roosevelt’s style was a prime example of this idea.
You can demand respect all you want. But to actually earn it, you need to project a mentality conveying the message that no task is “beneath” you and that you wouldn’t make anyone do something in which you wouldn’t do yourself.
In addition to exhibiting the “fearless leader” mindset, there are an array of small habits you should get into. For example, make it a point to be the first one to arrive at work. If you consistently show up late, you are basically condoning others to do the same.
The takeaway: Your company culture is an extension of your own ethics and professional image. You are a living, breathing model for what your brand should exemplify.
2. Make smart hires.
You can do only so much to shape a professional culture on your own. The people you choose to surround yourself with will play a huge role in how the company operates. For this reason, be picky about whom you bring on board.
During the interview stage, your goal should be…