If you were asked to name a few key traits about your organization, would “authentic” be on your list?
If not, it should be.
A culture of authenticity is one of the most important things an organization can strive for. It’s the difference between having a group of employees who are just going through the motions and a team that is truly engaged with their work.
Below, we’ll explore what a culture of authenticity looks like and how you can create one in your organization.
An authentic workplace culture is built on a foundation of trust. It’s a workplace where people feel comfortable being themselves and speaking their truth.
There are no hidden agendas in an authentic culture—everyone is working towards the same goal and has each other’s backs. There’s also a strong sense of transparency and communication.
Finally, an authentic culture values individuality. Each employee is appreciated for their unique skills and perspectives. There’s no pressure to conform to a certain mold. Rather, employees are encouraged to be themselves and bring their ideas to the table.
Now that we’ve highlighted what a culture of authenticity looks like, you may be wondering how you can create one in your organization. Let’s explore some key strategies that help foster it
Open communication is the key to creating a culture of authenticity. If employees feel like they can’t speak up or share their true thoughts and feelings, they’re not going to be authentic.
Encourage employees to
share their ideas and concerns openly, without fear of retribution. Let them know that you value their input and are open to hearing feedback, good or bad.
Transparency is another important aspect of authenticity. Employees need to feel like they know what’s going on in the organization, both the good and the bad.
Don’t try to hide your mistakes—own up to them and share what you’ve learned from them. Be open about your plans for the future and solicit input from employees about how they’d like to see the company grow.
Diversity is an important part of authenticity. It’s essential that employees feel like they can be themselves without fear of judgment or discrimination.
Encourage employees to bring their unique perspectives and backgrounds to the table. Celebrate the things that make each employee special and create an environment where everyone feels like they belong.
Last but not least, you need to be genuine yourself if you want to create a culture of authenticity. Employees will take their cues from you, so it’s important that you set the tone.
Be honest in your interactions with employees, and don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and feelings. Let them see that you’re a real person, just like them.
An authentic culture has several benefits. Employees who feel like they can be themselves are more likely to be engaged and productive. They’re also more likely to stick around, saving you money in the long run.
An authentic culture can also help you attract top talent. Candidates who see that you have a culture of authenticity are more likely to want to work for you.
Finally, an authentic culture can help improve customer satisfaction. Customers who feel like they’re dealing with a genuine company are more likely to be satisfied with their experience.
Authenticity is essential for any organization that wants to thrive. By encouraging open communication, promoting transparency, valuing diversity, and being genuine yourself, you can create a culture of authenticity that will benefit everyone.
If you believe your organization needs to shift to a culture of authenticity, you might need assistance taking the right steps to get there.
When you have a detailed, direct strategy in place, you can achieve the culture you want. But it takes commitment and a real desire to implement change.
At Ideal Outcomes, we can help you create a culture of authenticity by working with you to assess your current culture and develop a plan to enhance it.
We’ll also provide training and support to ensure that your employees are on board with the new culture. When you enlist our services, we start with a free 30-minute consultation. This is our “Culture Discovery” diagnostics call.
During this call, we’ll discuss your organization’s challenges and offer guidance to help you address your most pressing obstacles. Once we know what issues you face along the way to achieving a culture of authenticity, we can develop a customized plan to get you there.
This is your tailor-made roadmap to success. With us in your corner, you’ll have the support you need to make the shift to an authentic culture.
