In a constantly evolving professional world, where human capital becomes increasingly valuable and strategic, Corporate culture and employee experience are at the heart of concerns HR services.
Inspired by studies Gallup And the experiences of talenco, this article explores How a strong and well-defined corporate culture can become a powerful lever for performance, leadership, and employee engagement.
The corporate culture, the foundation of the organization’s performance
The corporate culture, «the way we do things here», is much more than just a set of values displayed in the entrance hall. It is the foundation upon which the overall performance of the organization rests.
The definition of corporate culture
In his Definition the broadest, the corporate culture encompasses common principles, values, convictions, practices, and behaviors which characterize a society. It shapes the organization’s identity, guides the behavior of its employees, and guides decisions, thus playing a crucial role in creating its atmosphere, its ambitions, and its operating methods.
Corporate culture is defined and perceived through, among other things, shared collective values, specific communication styles, a style of management and leadership, and the involvement and commitment of employees.
The corporate culture answers the following questions:
• Why (why?) What is the company’s raison d’être? Its ambitions, its values, its goals, its philanthropic commitments…
• What (quoi ?) What solutions does the company offer to fulfill its mission?
Corporate culture aligned with employees’ values is a Powerful leverage to increase their performance. Indeed, according to one study by the University of Warwick, Employees who are happy and aligned with their company's culture are on average 12% more productive.
For example, Google encourages innovation by allowing its employees to devote 20% of their time to projects of personal passion, which led to the creation of products such as Gmail or AdSense.
Corporate culture at the heart of employee engagement
In a context of constant change where employees’ expectations are evolving towards greater meaning, autonomy and balance, engagement becomes a key issue. The «symmetry of attention©», the principle that employees deserve the same level of quality of listening and service as customers, is a key concept.
A strong culture is the key that unlocks the total commitment of employees. Teams aligned with their company culture are not only more productive but also more engaged and creative.
Salesforce, For example, it uses a management model that emphasizes Transparency and trust, This encourages a high level of employee engagement, which translates into strong financial performance.
Ranked among the «Companies" Great Place to Work« , Kiabi It also stands out for its positive corporate culture that values Open communication and transparency. The company emphasizes well-being at work and the recognition of individual contributions, which helps attract and retain talent.
Corporate culture is also a means of attracting and retaining talent: according to The Robert Half study «What candidates want» published in November 2022, 20% survey respondents could choose between two job offers based on the values of the company. Moreover, 27% People surveyed would refuse a job offer if the company’s values were not aligned with their own.
Leadership is an essential element of the company culture
The role of the manager in the embodiment and transmission of the corporate culture is decisive, just as it is in facilitating a good employee experience. Indeed, according to National barometer 2023 on the employee experience, Managers are an essential component, acting both as relayers and as agents of the corporate culture.
«Leaders are the architects of corporate culture, building foundations upon which performance and commitment can rise.»
Travis Bradberry, American author and speaker, co-author of the bestselling book «Emotional Intelligence 2.0»
The leading managers must to embody the company’s values, listen to and respond to the needs of their teams to foster a working environment conducive to personal development and productivity.
Leadership is a central element of the corporate culture and plays a decisive role in the employees’ experience. A good leader inspires confidence and motivation, establishing a clear vision and shared values that guide the entire organization.
By embodying these values, the leader-manager creates an environment where employees feel valued and engaged, thereby fostering their personal and professional growth. The corporate culture, imbued with leadership, then becomes a reference framework. which positively influences behavior, communication, and collaboration.
Furthermore, effective leadership encourages innovation and calculated risk-taking, crucial elements for the adaptation and growth of the company in a constantly evolving market.
Microsoft, for example, has transformed the company’s culture with a focus on « growth mindset » (growth mindset) which revitalized the company and increased its innovation.
Thus, leadership is not just about leading; it shapes and nurtures the corporate culture, enriching the employee experience and strengthening team cohesion and overall performance.
Towards an inclusive and dynamic corporate culture
To build a corporate culture that resonates with all members of the organization, it is essential to adopt an inclusive and dynamic approach. This involves: recognize and value the diversity of talents, foster innovation and creativity, and implement management practices that encourage autonomy and initiative.
By cultivating a Strong corporate culture aligned with the aspirations of employees, By doing so, organizations can not only improve their performance but also attract and retain talent.
For example, L’Oréal, a French company with global reach in the cosmetics and beauty sector, is recognized for its committed policies in favor of diversity, inclusion, and sustainable development that are integral to the company culture. The Group has specific programs to recruit and support talent from diverse backgrounds, including initiatives for the inclusion of people with disabilities, programs to promote gender equality, and actions to include ethnic and cultural minorities.
Achieving the change of corporate culture with OKRs
Since 2018, talenco has supported many companies in the concrete implementation of their strategies. the OKR method (Objectives & Key Results). This system of performance management It also proves particularly suitable for changing the corporate culture at all levels of an organization.
In the group Abeille Insurance For example, the OKRs were deployed in 2022 with talenco in a context of the rapprochement of two groups with different corporate cultures, This involves moving from a company run by an English group listed on the stock exchange to a French mutual company.
The OKRs have been cascaded down from the top down to the level of each team. Gradually, thanks to Sponsorship With the support of leaders and agile coaches, the teams have adopted the method that has enabled them to achieve their goals. change the corporate culture and develop employee engagement.
«After a year of regression, we can see that we are in a process of constant improvement. We can already perceive The change in culture and the establishment of rituals like the ‘Rendez-vous Perspectives’.
Angéline Derache, Director of Cabinet DG
In particular, Agility and cross-cutting thinking are now an integral part of the Group’s corporate culture, Teams take the initiative to seek out more mature entities regarding the OKR method, in order to find solutions more quickly.
5 tips for developing a successful corporate culture
- Active listening
Set up channels feedback Regular meetings to understand the expectations and needs of your employees.
- Exemplary leadership The managers leaders They must embody the company’s values and act as role models for their teams.
- Recognition and appreciation
Recognizing individual and collective contributions strengthens the sense of belonging and motivation.
- Development and training
Invest in the professional development of your employees to help them grow with the company.
- Flexibility and autonomy
Encourage flexible working methods that promote the autonomy and accountability of teams.
Corporate culture, leadership, and employee engagement are therefore intrinsically linked. A strong corporate culture, embodied by inspiring leaders and aligned with the expectations of employees, is the key to unlocking the full potential of the organization!
In the mindset and universe of Silicon Valley, corporate culture is considered the most important factor for the launch and growth of a company. In line with what Facebook and Google can offer today in a highly competitive environment, corporate culture is now a tool for differentiation and attractiveness.