Through strong workplace culture and policies, organizations can create a productive environment. An effective culture has agreed upon rules of behavior grounded in principles like fairness, respect, and transparency. These rules must be reasonable, clearly defined, and applied consistently. When people feel protected and respected, they will be happier and more productive. Managers play a key role in developing workplace culture and should lead by example through treating all employees with dignity, trust, and fairness.

1. Through strong workplace culture and policies

2.  A culture is a system created by a group of
people who collectively decide and agree to
abide by the rules of that system.

3.  A system could be written or unwritten rules
of behaviour that is expected of the group
grounded on some common principles e.g.
Fairness, respect, equality, inclusion, transpar
ency, and what are the consequences when
those rules are broken.

4.  To be effective the system must be
reasonable and doable.

5.  People operate best and the most productive
when they know the boundaries around
which their behaviour must be contained.

6.  In order for the rule to work, for the culture to
be a coagulating force it must be seen to
operate without exception.The only
exception to this exception must be
reasonable and in compliance with the larger
human rights or employment laws.

7.  If you want people to be open and frank with
you there should be no fear attached to
expression of opinion within the cultural
framework.
 When people can express ideas and concerns
freely you create an even playing field and
you mine the best ideas from everyone.

8.  Respect must be the cornerstone of
workplace culture. Disrespect breeds
resentment and impedes creativity and
productivity.
 Respect should be from the top down – at
every level the human dignity must be
respected.
 When people are shown respect they can
endure bad news better, when they respect
you they respect your decision.

9.  When there is a zero tolerance policy that
actually works people feel protected and are
happy and they produce more.When people
are unhappy production decreases.

10.  In many cases it is untrained
leadhands, incompetent managers and
supervisors who create toxicity in the
workplace.

11.  When you respect people they watch out for
you.They become your ears and eyes.When
you show respect to people they take bad
news from you much more easily.

12.  Tell people what you expect of them and give
them some leeway on how they are going to
meet your expectations.
 People are creative and responsible most of
the time and if you trust them they will
deliver for you because they would not want
to let you down.
 Micromanaging leads to oppression.

13.  Qualifications are only half the equation.
Spend time in vetting people, their
personality, their values and make sure they
align with the values of your organization or
your team.

14.  Celebrating group birthdays e.g. All
employees who born in a particular month –
treat employees to cake a coffee

15.  While profits are important, people are also
important and people come from families
that may all depend on their jobs.
 Think about accommodation creatively.Try
different things and when that point of undue
hardship is reached the employee might be
the first to let you know – it’s time to let them
go.

16.  Be reasonable
 Be fair
 Be respectful
 Be truthful
 Be transparent
 Be open
 Be human
 Be a role model.