Creating a positive employee experience is not just about following a recipe of compassion, flexibility, transparency, and regulation. It requires more than just words; employers must follow through with actions. Open, fair, and straightforward workplaces are hard to define, but people can recognize them when they see them. Cultural reengineering starts with treating others as you would like to be treated.

At our company, we have over 30 statements that define our workplace culture. Some of these include “no 9 to 5,” “trust but verify,” and “meritocracy.” These practices are essential to how we operate and interact with each other in the workplace. We hope these can serve as a guide for others looking to improve their own workplace culture.

Trust 

We value open communication and encourage everyone to contribute their thoughts and ideas. We conduct important conversations through open mail threads that anyone can subscribe to and participate in. Feedback is encouraged, and we believe that different perspectives make us better and more innovative. Trust is a two-way street, and we verify to ensure constructive feedback. We empower employees through consultation and trust them to manage themselves. We prioritize output over input and believe that flexible work can be productive. We don’t micromanage and don’t obsess over the clock.

Openness

Creating an environment where people can freely express their minority opinions is important, albeit tricky. At our company, we encourage everyone to speak up when they see something that needs to be addressed, regardless of whether their opinion is in the minority. We believe that rational, fact-based debate and a focus on outcomes is important, and that success and failure should be recognized and learned from. We also recognize that taking risks and making mistakes is an essential part of being creative, and we prioritize asking for help and fixing mistakes. 

Meritocracy

At WSO2, we follow a meritocratic workplace culture, where performance and contribution are valued and rewarded regardless of tenure or title. We encourage and support employees in building their personal brands as it can lead to increased confidence and a more free-flowing stream of ideas. By eliminating unnecessary boundaries, we foster a vibrant workplace culture that promotes collaboration and innovation.

Team work

We believe that every team member has valuable insights and ideas to contribute. To harness this diversity of thought, we break down the walls between disciplines and strive to create a unified team where everyone’s voices are heard. When recruiting, we prioritize individual talent, but once someone joins our team, we encourage mutual respect and support for all team members, regardless of their opinions. We prioritize finding solutions rather than assigning blame, and we prioritize a continuous learning and improvement cycle.

Building a positive and inclusive culture is crucial to attracting and retaining top talent in any industry. By creating an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and encouraged to contribute, businesses can foster a sense of loyalty and commitment that translates into long-term success. The success of any culture ultimately depends on the people who make it up. That’s why it’s essential to invest in your people’s growth and development and provide them with the tools and resources they need to excel.