Here in the YES! Your Human Resources Solution blog, we’ve talked about how new hires should, in great part, be chosen for their ability to mesh well with the company’s culture.  That’s because it’s easier to choose a good fit right off the bat, rather than expecting the employee or the culture to change to suit one another.  Company culture is a powerful force that sets the workplace dynamic—the framework in which every worker must operate.  A fundamental mismatch is a recipe for unhappy employees, whether it’s a new coworker who doesn’t quite fit in or a new supervisor who’s operating against the established norm.

So what constitutes company culture?  Culture encompasses everything that builds the company’s “personality,” including behaviors, attitudes, and values.  To touch on just a few:

Culture is immediately visible in the workplace environment in everything from employee attire to wall colors to furniture arrangements.  A brightly colored office with an open layout and bean-bag chairs might signify a cutting-edge business designed for collaboration and flexibility, whereas a neutral-toned office with rows of cubicles might signify a more traditional button-down business environment.

Culture is also apparent in, if not primarily driven by, management styles.  Management sets the stage for how the company and its employees will be allowed to operate.  Will a suit and tie be required every day?  Will employees be chastised as underachievers if they only work the 9-5?  Will employees be supported if they leave early to watch their child’s dance recital?  Awareness that management style plays a large role in driving company culture will make it easier for leaders to seek out employees who will fit in with a particular manager’s style.

Now that we have an idea of what makes up a company’s culture, why is that culture important?  Culture has the ability to breed employee morale and loyalty.  An employee’s happiness is a grossly underestimated benefit in the workplace, as it is often more important than salary.  And because employees spend most of their time in a work environment, they’ll be happiest in a company whose “personality” suits their own.

A well rounded culture can also influence a company’s reputation in the media, which can drive recruitment.  A positive relationship between a company and its workers, such as the relationship that consistently puts Google at the top of those “best places to work” lists, makes that company more attractive to potential new hires.

How do you think your employees would rank your company in a “best places to work” list?  If you think it’s somewhere below the top tier, it might be time to examine your company’s culture.  Do employees seem motivated and happy?  Are they attentive and respectful to customers, coworkers, and management?  Are they getting the schedule/recognition/support they need to thrive?  Go ahead—ask them.  Request feedback about changes that could improve the company’s culture and increase employee happiness.  Company culture usually takes time to establish and isn’t likely to change overnight, but implementing a few small but powerful changes can start you on the road to a more positive culture and happy, loyal employees.