6 Tips for Building a Better Workplace Culture

June 23, 2025

Want to Attract and Keep Great Talent? Start with Your Culture

A strong workplace culture is more than a buzzword. It's the foundation of employee engagement, trust, and performance.

Companies with great cultures don’t rely on flashy perks or huge salaries. They focus on creating a work environment where people feel seen, safe, and connected to something meaningful.

In this post, you’ll learn six simple, research-backed ways to build a culture where people want to show up and grow.

1. Get Clear on Your Values

Your company values should be more than posters on the wall. They should guide daily decisions, shape interactions, and reflect your team’s purpose.

Start by asking: What do we stand for? What kind of experience do we want people to have here?

From there, create a clear, shared story about what success looks like. Not just for the business, but for the humans behind it.

2. Lead with Authenticity

People can tell when leaders aren’t walking the talk. If you want buy-in, your values must be visible in your actions.

Strong cultures grow when leaders are honest, accountable, and consistent. That kind of integrity builds trust and trust fuels motivation.

3. Listen and Keep Listening

Create ways for employees to share real feedback, not just once a year but continuously. Use both data (like surveys and retention rates) and direct conversations to check your cultural pulse.

When people feel heard, they’re more likely to stay engaged and committed.

4. Make Psychological Safety a Priority

If employees are afraid to speak up, your culture is at risk. True innovation and inclusion only happen when people feel safe being honest and taking risks.

One red flag? Silence. If no one’s talking, something’s off. Create space for open dialogue, even when it's uncomfortable.

5. Normalize Mistakes

Mistakes aren’t failures. They are feedback. Leaders who own their missteps set the tone for learning, not blame.

If you want creativity and growth, you need to make room for trial and error. It's not about being perfect. It's about being real and resilient.

6. Watch the Trends

Culture is alive. It evolves. So keep your eyes open. Regularly review your values, systems, and team feedback. Small, positive changes add up. Small problems do, too, if left unchecked.

Keep checking in, keep adjusting, and keep telling the story of where you're headed.

In Summary

A healthy workplace culture doesn’t happen overnight. But when you ground your actions in clear values, consistent leadership, open listening, and a mindset of growth, real change is possible.

Want help shaping a culture that retains talent and supports growth?

Book a free 30-minute consultation with Strategic Career Navigation today.

About The Author

Amy Fredell is a career development expert and certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with 15+ years of experience helping individuals and organizations navigate career growth. As the founder of Strategic Career Navigation, she merges project management principles with career strategy to create actionable, results-driven plans. Recognized for her award-winning coaching, Amy empowers individuals to take control of their careers with clarity and confidence. Learn more.