Workplace Culture: 5 DOs & DON’Ts to Keep Your Colleagues Happy

What is workplace culture?

When we talk about different types of workplace culture, we’re often talking about several different things. On the one hand we’re talking about the various levels of employment, from entry level to CEO, and how they might affect your mindset. At the same time, we’re also talking about the differences between workplaces and, in particular, what makes one job preferable to another.

In this article, we’ll be talking about what makes a good workplace, what that means for employees, and what you can do to improve your workplace culture.

1. DO Communicate With Your Coworkers

If there’s one complaint that’s almost universal in companies over a certain scale it’s this: they just don’t communicate very well.

Communication is hard, even in one to one relationships. That challenge only gets harder when you’re talking about a whole office, or even a whole company.

It’s very easy to think of your work as just yours – to draw a line around it as your personal domain. The problem is that, when you’re part of a team, sooner or later your work is going to start affecting other people. They’ll need input on what you’re doing and, likewise, you probably ought to know what your colleagues are up to.

It’s no one person’s responsibility to ensure that good communication is happening, but by the same token, anyone can. All you have to do is talk to your colleagues.

2. DON’T Let Your Work Become Someone Else’s Problem 

One of the simplest and most effective things you can do to keep your colleagues happy is to make sure your work never becomes their work.

Obviously there’s nothing wrong with people helping one another, and it’s fine to let people step in from time to time when it makes sense. Where it becomes a problem is when people start to feel that you’re comfortable letting them take on your responsibilities.

It’s a very fine line, but it’s also an area where resentments can easily build up so if you want to keep things simple, try to make sure you’re never making someone else’s life harder than it needs to be.

3. DO Take Responsibility For Your Mistakes

There are many types of workplace culture and some are better than others. One of the worst you can end up in is a culture of blame games, where nobody is willing to take responsibility for their mistakes.

The problem with this kind of culture is that it spreads. If nobody else is willing to admit to a mistake, then why should you? Worse, if you do admit to responsibility, others may see it as a chance to pile on.

It’s an unhealthy situation for anyone and there are only two ways out of it. The first is just to leave and hope your next job is better. Your other option is to lead by example.

Sometimes, the best way to get people to start taking responsibility for their mistakes is to show that you’re willing to take responsibility for yours.

That’s not to say you should always take the blame. Knowing when to put your foot down is, in many ways, just as important as knowing when to admit fault. The key is to be clear and honest while showing that you’re always willing to improve.

4. DON’T Be Afraid To Speak Your Mind

One of the hardest balances to strike in a workplace is when to stick your neck out and when to say nothing at all. Obviously it’s important to put a filter on your thoughts and that’s no less true in the workplace, but sometimes caution can be a problem of its own.

In corporate leadership culture, people often forget how nerve wracking it can be for those near the bottom of the ladder. What this often leads to is the assumption that, if you have something to say, then you’ll say it.

This is a problem for your career because it means the less you’re willing to speak your mind, the less likely you are to get promoted. That said, it can be even more of a problem for your workplace, allowing serious issues to slip under the radar.

If you’re wanting to know how to improve your workplace culture, then this is probably the most important step you can take. While it’s certainly a case by case situation and you should always think carefully before saying anything you might regret, it’s important to remember that nothing changes if nobody speaks up.

Whether it’s something small and simple like a regular scheduling issue, or a major case of workplace toxicity, you should always remember that you have the power to make a difference.

5. DO Try to Spread Positivity

Staying positive isn’t always easy, especially not in the workplace. When things are going wrong, whether that’s on a personal or professional level, looking on the bright side can feel almost impossible. That being said, those who manage to do so often bring a much needed energy to the office that can uplift everyone around them.

Now, we’re certainly not saying you should feel the need to hide your emotions if you’re having a bad day. You’re always going to feel the way you feel about things and that’s never your fault. What we are saying is that if you’ve got it in you to meet challenges with a positive mindset then that happiness and positivity can be infectious.