Why Is Culture So Important?

Employees are continuing to drift from their organizations, even though they are not actually physically leaving.  You’ve heard of “the great resignation” and it remains a very real challenge for employers as highly qualified talent continue to check out and disengage.  Faced with high levels of job dissatisfaction, stress and burnout, many employees are reevaluating what’s most important to them.  

While many variables come into play for job seekers, one stands out – company culture.  Only 1 in 4 employees strongly agree they feel connected to their culture and only 1 in 3 strongly agree that they belong at their organization (Forbes).  Employees want to be part of a culture where they feel respected and supported by their leaders, and they want those leaders to live out the core values of the organization.  

With the excitement and stress of finding a new job, it’s all too easy to pursue a new professional opportunity or to accept an offer with only a hazy view of how the organization really operates. It’s not uncommon for job seekers to enter a new role without having a true sense of the company’s shared values, attitudes and assumptions about the workplace.   

Here are a few important tips as you consider company culture as part of your search.   

Start with mission, vision and purpose

It’s important to understand not just what they say they’re doing, but how their purpose impacts decision making.  Gaining a sense of the organizations mission and vision is key but knowing how the team contributes to supporting the purpose is equally important.  Start by reviewing this information on the company’s website and social media platforms.  A company’s online presence can give you a good sense of how it prioritizes culture.  

Consider which aspects of culture are most important to you

Evaluating your “must-haves” and “non-negotiables” as it relates to company culture is also an important part of the search process.  Create a list and prioritize the aspect of culture that are most important for you.  This may include:  team collaboration, leadership approach, performance assessment structure, flexible work support, mental health and wellness, work-life balance, diversity and inclusion, and professional development opportunities.  

Include questions during the interview process.  

Job seekers sometimes worry that bringing up questions about culture during the interview process may make hiring managers uncomfortable.  This is not the case!  Discussing culture is not off base and not only helps you gain a deeper understanding or the organization but how you can contribute to its success.  Consider questions like, “What do you like best about working here?” or “how do you resolve conflict in the workplace?” Look for signals from their responses that help provide insight into their inner workings. 

When it comes to evaluating organizational culture, there’s no one-size fits all approach.  Having a strong sense of your own priorities, working style and professional goals is critical to determining whether or not you’ll succeed with an organization.  Be sure to establish your own priorities, research and ask questions.