Great businesses are built by great teams – and creating a positive workplace culture is where it all begins.
When the culture’s right, everything else tends to follow. In fact, companies on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list have outperformed the wider market by as much as 16.5% in just one year.* If you’re looking to lift morale and help your team thrive, these six simple steps are a great place to start.
How much do your team’s day to day actions reflect your core values? It’s not just about writing them down or sticking them on the wall. The real impact comes when you bring them to life – through the way you lead, make decisions and support your team. If your values are truly part of your culture, everyone should feel comfortable holding themselves (and each other) accountable to them.
A great place to start? Make sure new starters get a proper intro to your values from day one – and keep the conversation going long after.
We all know what it feels like when communication breaks down at work – it can lead to people feeling ignored, uncertain and undervalued. On the flip side, when teams talk openly and often, it builds trust, strengthens relationships and keeps everyone on the same page.
Even small steps can make a difference – try regular stand ups or 121’s to help people feel heard and supported.
Only 20% of UK employees feel engaged at work.**
Let’s change that.
You don’t build a strong team without creating space for everyone. No one should feel like they need to fit a mould to belong at work – and it’s your hiring, communication and promotion policies that help make that clear. The goal? A team that pulls in the same direction, where everyone feels respected and part of something bigger.
Positive workplaces checklist
✓ Support a healthy work-life balance
✓ Make space for all voices
✓ Keep communication open and clear
✓ Celebrate wins – big and small
Think about it… how often do you say “well done” or “nice job”? A bit of recognition goes a long way and when it becomes part of your culture, it can really lift motivation. The more people see appreciation being shared, the more likely they are to do it too.
Whether it’s a shoutout in a team meeting or a quick note in a group chat, creating a culture of recognition can help your team feel genuinely valued.
None of us are just our job titles. The lives we live outside the office shape how we show up inside it. Encouraging your team to take breaks, pursue hobbies, and keep a healthy balance isn’t just a nice to have, it’s essential.
Positive workplaces make space for people to be their whole selves, not just their work selves.
When leaders lead with openness and empathy, teams notice. Sharing the wins is easy but being honest about the tough stuff builds real trust. Research from Great Place to Work*** found that businesses with inclusive, high trust cultures bounced back faster from both the 2007–09 recession and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Bottom line: trust your team and they’ll trust you back.
Building a positive workplace culture is an investment in your team’s happiness and your company’s success. At Pure Offices, we believe that the right environment plays a key role in creating that culture. Our flexible office spaces are designed to support productivity, collaboration, and wellbeing – giving businesses the foundation they need to thrive. By focusing on values, communication, inclusivity, recognition, work life balance and trust, you can create a supportive environment where everyone feels motivated to do their best.
* www.greatplacetowork.co.uk/resources/5-ways-workplace-culture-drives-business-profitability
** www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx
*** www.greatplacetowork.co.uk/resources/5-ways-workplace-culture-drives-business-profitability
