The phrase or concept ideal work environment often means different things to each person within an organization.  Culture, and core values, though, can impact what the ideal work environment is, and how it’s seen, within a company.  An ideal work environment comes to exist when a set of core values are shared and supported across, and throughout, an organization.  Culture is an important and valuable quality within, and across, work groups.  Collaboration and open communication between management and employees leads to transparency, which in turn leads to all having a vested interest in the success of the business.

Elements of an Ideal Work Environment

Core values first have to be communicated throughout the company, so that each individual is aware of the components of their company’s culture, and can participate in the conversations surrounding it.  Discussion of core values within a company is twofold; to obtain employee involvement and input on how to achieve the goals based on those values, and to link efforts, communication, and respect across groups within an organization.  People who share core values about their company are able to work with purpose, and with greater productivity.  It frees them to work independently and creatively, as they know the “why” behind the company’s goals and objectives, and can proactively make decisions that reflect and support the core values.

Core Values and Millennials

According to a Deloitte survey on millennials, the largest demographic in the workplace, when millennials share corporate values and believe in them, it also promotes loyalty. This is particularly true when employers demonstrate a strong sense of company purpose beyond financial success. Millennials intending to stay with their organizations for at least five years are far more likely than others to report a positive culture that focuses on the needs of the individual.

Strategy and Culture Lead to Ideal Work Environment

In a Deloitte survey on core beliefs and culture, results showed that exceptional organizations think about their business as a two-sided ledger:  strategy and culture.  And exceptional organizations have core beliefs that are unique, simple, leader-led, repetitive, and embedded in the culture.  When considering which factors substantially contribute to a company’s success, relatively equal percentages of employees cite these factors as contributors: “a clearly defined business strategy” (57%) and “clearly defined and communicated values and beliefs” (55%).

A State of the Industry study by Virgin Pulse:

• 95% of organizations view culture as important for driving business outcomes.

• 80% of organizations plan to improve corporate culture in the coming year.

Final Thoughts on Ideal Work Environments

Keeping workplace culture and core values at the forefront can enable people to excel in today’s tasks and keep the future in mind.  There’s enjoyment and pride in the actual work being done.  People want to be productive, to grow, to contribute, and to be challenged.  And to have some fun along the way.  Proper motivation leads to high performance within an ideal work environment.  And the communication of core values is the first step to achieving that ideal work environment.

For more on corporate culture and values based business, read our posts, 3 Steps to Build Integrity in the Workplace and Corporate Values Can Make or Break Your Company.

The Culture Counts blog is a discussion of law firm culture and legal innovation, including topics such as effective leadership, employee engagement, workplace culture, ideal work environment, company core values, and workplace productivity.  

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