A company's culture has a deep influence on employee behaviors, attitudes and motivation. Employees working in a positive environment are happy, have high levels of job satisfaction and enjoy coming to work each day. When people feel like they’re valued, they want to do great work, which is reflected in the success of the organization.

Celebrate Milestones

The way a company responds to milestones, both personal employee achievements and team successes, says a lot about the organization. A positive workplace has rituals that employees expect and rely on, such as monthly birthday celebrations, honoring work anniversaries and celebrating company successes together. While these things may seem small, they allow people to feel appreciated, valued and proud to work for the company.

Promote Communication

It’s very difficult for a company to function in a healthy manner when proper communication is not promoted. Employees need to know what’s going on in all areas of the company. It’s important for them to be well-informed of recent developments and to have the opportunity to provide input. People need to know their opinions count and feel comfortable offering their ideas and feedback.

Lead by Example

A positive work environment starts at the top with company leadership. Management's behavior can greatly affect the staff's work ethic and attitudes. When managers treat employees as equals and show respect, they return the sentiment. If a manager puts in extra hours and works hard to achieve success, employees will learn this is the company standard. When leadership is committed to their own jobs, respectful to employees and trusting of people to get the job done right, an enjoyable work environment can be fostered.

Create a Team Atmosphere

Every good leader knows there’s no “I” in team. When employees are made to feel like part of a team, instead of individuals going to work each day, they’re able to work towards common goals. If people are only working to achieve their own personal successes, the company might lose its direction. Recognize success as a team effort instead of letting a few people take credit for the work of many.

Provide Thorough Onboarding

It's important for new employees to learn everything there is to know about the company when they're first hired. Create a strong on-boarding program that teaches new hires about the history of the company, the values of the organization and noteworthy accomplishments. This helps workers to gain a deeper understanding of the company and the direction it’s headed in.