What is a Good Work Culture?

One of my favorite questions to ask a candidate is, “What is most important to you when searching for a new job?” You might be surprised to hear that the answer is not always compensation. Instead, I often receive responses related to the desire for a good culture. To which my follow-up is always, “What is a good culture to you?” As everyone is unique and values different qualities, there is not a single answer to this question, nor a right or wrong answer. So, I thought I would share some first-hand responses from anonymous individuals below:

Candidate A: A place where there is a lot of collaboration between departments.

Candidate B: A company that understands we are all human and have a life outside of work but can still achieve results and meet deadlines.

Candidate C: A team of good people, where everyone is happy and gets along with each other.

To better serve and align my clients and candidates, I decided to do a little more research around this topic. When I searched the internet for the definition of a good culture, I found the following list of various aspects that contribute to a thriving and beneficial environment. Rather than from a single source, this list is collected from various academic and intellectual contributions:

Open Communication: Employees can freely share their ideas, feedback, and concerns without fear of retaliation.

Transparency at the Top: Clear and open communication from leaders fosters trust and keeps everyone aligned with the same goals.

Collaboration and Teamwork: A collaborative environment where team members unite around shared objectives, utilizing their individual strengths and offering mutual support.

Inclusivity and Diversity: A commitment to fostering an environment where diverse backgrounds and perspectives are not only accepted but celebrated. This promotes creativity and innovation.

Recognition and Appreciation: Consistent acknowledgment of employees’ efforts and achievements, whether through praise, rewards, or growth opportunities.

Flexibility and Work-Life Balance: Implementing policies and practices that honor employees’ personal time and well-being, thus preventing burnout and promoting a healthy, sustainable work environment.

Professional Development: Offering employees the chance to learn, grow, and progress in their careers through various forms of training, mentorship, and challenging assignments.

Supportive Leadership: Leaders who encourage, support, and set a strong example, creating an uplifting and motivating environment.

In general, a good work culture could be summarized as one where employees feel valued, respected, supported, and part of a purposeful, motivating community. It helps them learn, grow and feel a sense of satisfaction in their professional career.

As a candidate, it can be difficult to assess a company’s culture through a single interview, or even a few rounds of interviews. Therefore, it is important to prepare and ask appropriate questions that may shed some insight into the culture. You could simply ask the question, “What is the culture like in the accounting department?” This is a pretty open-ended question and may provide a high-level overview from the interviewer’s perspective, depending on how much they chose to share. You could also ask more pointed questions focused on what is most important to you. For example, if your goal is a culture that fosters growth, you could ask “How does the company support employee development and career growth?” Below are a few other examples of questions to ask during an interview:

1. Can you describe the company’s core values and how they are reflected in everyday work?
2. Can you describe the leadership style here and how leaders engage with their teams?
3. How would you describe the overall team dynamic and the relationships between coworkers?
4. What are some examples of how the company supports innovation and creativity within teams?
5. Can you describe a typical day in the office and the overall atmosphere?

As a hiring manager, it is best to be transparent with candidates and share as much information as possible to ensure a good fit. Employers should also ask candidates questions that uncover the type of work culture in which they would thrive and feel most fulfilled.

In summary, workplace culture shapes individuals’ identities and behaviors. It impacts an employee’s overall experience, affecting their satisfaction, performance, well-being, and career growth. It is essential for organizations to cultivate a positive culture to attract and retain top talent and ensure their employees thrive.