How To Build A Positive Team Culture

Summary

In this video, organizational psychologist David Burkus discusses the crucial role of team culture in building a positive organizational culture. He explains that perks and benefits are not the key to success; instead, leaders must focus on fostering real social connections, showing empathy, offering help, and encouraging candor within teams. By implementing these strategies, leaders can create a supportive, resilient, and high-performing team culture. Over time, these positive team dynamics will contribute to a thriving organizational culture where employees can do their best work and achieve lasting success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Positive company culture is built from positive teams, not perks or benefits.
• 😀 Team culture, not organizational culture, shapes employees' work experiences and success.
• 😀 Fostering social connections within teams leads to higher engagement, productivity, and longevity.
• 😀 People with strong social connections at work experience better health and higher job satisfaction.
• 😀 Emphasizing team collaboration over individual talent creates a more sustainable and positive culture.
• 😀 Empathy from leaders builds resilience in teams, especially during difficult times.
• 😀 Leaders who demonstrate empathy foster stronger relationships and better performance across the team.
• 😀 Offering help, both from leaders and team members, creates a supportive, reciprocal culture.
• 😀 Leaders should model self-sacrifice by stepping in to help with tasks outside their formal roles.
• 😀 Encouraging candor and psychological safety allows teams to learn from mistakes and improve performance.
• 😀 Vulnerability and honesty from leaders are essential to building a culture of candor and openness within teams.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of this video?

The video focuses on how to build a positive team culture, which ultimately leads to a positive organizational culture.

Why do perks and benefits not create a positive company culture?

Perks and benefits, such as work-from-home options or free food, do not consistently lead to a positive organizational culture because they do not address the core dynamics of team interaction and leadership.

What is the difference between organizational culture and team culture?

Organizational culture is often shaped by the overall company environment, while team culture directly reflects the daily interactions and relationships within individual teams. A positive team culture directly influences organizational culture.

How do social connections impact team culture?

Social connections at work contribute to higher employee engagement, lower absenteeism, increased productivity, and longer tenure. People with strong work friendships are more resilient and committed to their teams.

What role does empathy play in building a positive team culture?

Empathy is essential for leaders to understand the strengths, weaknesses, and challenges of their team members. It builds resilience, trust, and a supportive atmosphere that helps teams navigate difficult times effectively.

How can leaders foster empathy within their teams?

Leaders can demonstrate empathy by actively listening to their team, understanding personal and professional struggles, and offering emotional and practical support to team members when needed.

What is the significance of offering help in a team culture?

Offering help is vital for creating a supportive and collaborative team environment. Leaders should model this behavior by stepping in to assist with tasks, especially when team members face challenges. This helps build a reciprocal culture of help within the team.

What does research suggest about leaders who offer self-sacrifice?

Research shows that leaders who sacrifice their own time and effort to help their team foster a culture of mutual support, where team members are more willing to help one another in return.

How does psychological safety relate to team performance?

Psychological safety allows team members to be open and honest without fear of judgment. It encourages candor, the sharing of ideas, and learning from mistakes, which in turn boosts creativity, problem-solving, and overall team performance.

Why should leaders demonstrate vulnerability to encourage candor?

Leaders who show vulnerability by admitting their own mistakes and challenges create an environment where team members feel safe to express their own vulnerabilities. This openness fosters a culture of candor and encourages honest communication.

What is the key takeaway from this video about building a positive culture?

The key takeaway is that building a positive team culture requires consistent effort in fostering connections, demonstrating empathy, offering help, and encouraging candor. These actions, when practiced regularly, compound to create a thriving and positive organizational culture.