The Role of Leadership in Developing a Positive Team Culture

A positive team culture is essential for the progress and success of any organization. The two most important people who are responsible for the team culture are leaders and managers. As they are usually the ones in control or power, it’s important for them to understand the true meaning of what makes a positive culture.

According to research by HBR, company leaders who foster a positive team culture experience boosts productivity, motivation, competency, and employee satisfaction. Hence, it’s crucial for businesses to inculcate positivity within the workforce if they want to see a happy workforce and rising profits as a result. Even though fostering a positive culture is everyone's responsibility, leadership plays a significant role. 

Let’s begin with the basics and talk a little about team culture.

What is team culture? 

Many companies use the word "culture" as a buzzword to attract talent from around the world.

Some even say that they have a great culture because they offer perks and benefits for teams, such as ping pong tables or coffee break rooms. However, culture is not about things, rather more about the treatment of employees.

Every organization has a culture that prevails. Each team in an organization has unique habits and tones, which influence the overall impression of the company. In short, the values, beliefs, behaviors, and practices its members share are the best way to identify the team’s culture.  

In most cases, it should foster teamwork, collaboration, and communication, supporting teammates in achieving the same goals and objectives. 

Team culture aims to create a workplace where employees are happy and motivated to do their work. And more often than not, workers don't care about material things. Instead, they highly value leaders who shape the employee experience according to their team members' needs and requirements. 

The benefits of a positive team culture 

LinkedIn's report on The Reinvention of Company Culture found that, for 40 percent of jobseekers, culture and colleagues were their top priorities. 

And this isn't surprising, considering that we spend much of our time at work. Hence, it is easy to see why people want to work for companies that offer positive experiences and colleagues who are supportive and open to collaborating. 

Positive relationships in the workplace, fostered by leadership and communication, clearly affect absenteeism, retention, and performance. Team members feel more driven to work when they have strong relationships with their teammates. They know they can rely on their coworkers to help and support them if any problem arises. Because of the team's positive and supportive atmosphere, they enjoy being part of the company and are eager to overcome business challenges.  

Employees who work for a company that fosters a positive culture are more likely to stay loyal to the organization as well. If employees feel comfortable and happy in their workplace, chances are they will want to stay with the same company as long as they feel that way. 

Employees are more motivated to be productive when satisfied with and engaged in their work. And productivity can have a significant impact on a company's success.  

All in all, these are just some examples of how beneficial a positive team culture can be for an organization. Thus, it is vital that leadership understands the importance of such a culture and takes on greater responsibility to support building positive teams. 

How can managers build a positive team culture? 

Leaders often tend to focus more on tasks and objectives.  

But people are the heart of an organization, and for them to be satisfied, culture is even more important than salary in most cases.  

Yet, toxic work environments can cause employees to have difficulty progressing in their jobs because of a hostile culture created by their coworkers and supervisors. 

And if culture appears to be an obstacle for employees to learn, develop, and grow within their teams, they aren't going to be satisfied with their job and are more likely to look for a new one. 

To avoid losing workers, there are various things you can do to build a positive team culture as a manager. However, you must ensure that you do not promote toxic positivity but instead devote yourself to creating a productive work environment. 

Here are some additional tips for leaders to foster a positive team culture.

1. Foster communication 

For a team to achieve high results, its members must communicate.  

Effective communication is key for teams. Using various mediums of communication within a team ensures everyone knows their responsibilities, avoiding the possibility of confusion.

In addition, team members will have a deeper understanding of each other's work, enabling them to know who to turn to if they find themselves in a situation where they need help.  

A study published in Land Forces Academy Review, titled, "The Role of Communication in Enhancing the Work Effectiveness of an Organization,” states that communication is one of the two most essential skills managers should have to enhance their team's work effectiveness. 

Therefore, as a manager, you must ensure that your communication skills are high, whether you develop them by attending training in the area or figuring out what works best for your team. 

Apart from improving your communication skills, it's also vital that you foster communication within your team. A great way to do this is by ensuring members work together on their tasks using project management tools.  

Furthermore, you can connect them with others in the company so they can support each other. And most importantly, make sure you communicate with them daily to check in and see if they have any troubles. 

2. Build connections 

Building meaningful relationships at work can significantly impact a team's coherence. And that doesn't mean they only need to know each other's names or roles. 

Employees who are friends with their colleagues are more engaged and successful at their jobs. Moreover, they get more done in less time and are more innovative. 

Everyone wants to work in a company where colleagues are friends, not competitors. That is even more important within a team, since all members should work together to achieve the same goals and objectives. 

So, what can you as a manager do to build connections among the members of your team? 

One great idea is organizing team-building activities. They can strengthen the bonds between the team members and enable them to get to know each other on a more personal level in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. 

3. Establish team values 

Establishing team values will ensure everyone works together to achieve the shared goals and objectives. Teammates who share values are happy to cooperate and, thus, deliver better performance. 

Sharing mutual values means that everyone on the team is on the same page about how and what they should strive to accomplish. 

The best way to establish your team's values is to ask your team members.  

Include them in developing the values by asking them what they consider crucial in a team, what they expect from their team members, how they want to be treated, or what values will promote a positive team culture. 

Factoring in their opinions will make it much easier for them to commit to the values. However, it would be best if you also reinforced them through your words and actions.  

And remember that values are not a one-time deal.  

With changes in the company's culture or your team's practices, you might need to change them from time to time. 

4. Keep expectations clear 

Employees are much better at their jobs when they know exactly what is expected of them. Nobody wants to do work that ends up being fruitless. Hence, create a job aid to give clear instructions on how to do a work task, explain responsibilities to your team and how their work will contribute to their company and make an impact.  Be sure to provide feedback and support whenever employees have difficulty with their tasks.  

On a final note

As a leader, it must be important to you that your team is engaged and happy at work. Developing and maintaining a positive team culture can play a huge role. Employees who feel they have their manager's support, opportunities to collaborate, and the right circumstances to advance in their careers will thrive in a positive work environment.