What s your company culture? For HR leaders, this may be a harder question to answer than you think.
Try to imagine having one of your new hires talk about your company culture. Would they be able to answer what makes your company stand out against the crowd? Your employees are part of something special! Building a company culture book is key to bridging the gap between onboarding and helping new hires understand what makes your company so unique.
Top companies like Valve and Netflix have built their own culture guides. Employees don t just need an employee handbook full of policies and rules, they need you to show them exactly what makes your company special. New hires that feel excited and engaged in their work, and what their company has to offer, will always go the extra mile.
According to the Conference Board study of 2006, engaged employees have been known to outperform disengaged employees by a staggering 28%! Start your employees journey off right by showcasing the benefits to joining your company. Every organization is different but here are just some important ideas to keep in mind when planning your company culture book.
In today’s ever-evolving business landscape, company culture has become a crucial factor in determining an organization’s success. A healthy culture not only fosters employee engagement and satisfaction, but also contributes to a company’s ability to adapt and thrive in the face of challenges. With a plethora of books published on the topic, it can be overwhelming to find the most effective ones that can help transform your organization. This is where building a company culture book comes in – to guide you through the best company culture books to read in 2023 that can revolutionize your business.
From enhancing organizational health to learning from successful companies like Google and Netflix, this blog post dives into the world of building a company culture book that can reshape your organization’s culture and drive its success. So buckle up and get ready to embark on a journey towards a better work environment that breeds success and innovation.
Key Takeaways
- Essential company culture books provide strategies for building a strong corporate culture and fostering employee engagement.
- Aligning core values with company culture is essential to drive collaboration, performance, and talent acquisition/retention.
- Reading industry leader’s insights can help organizations build successful cultures that promote employee satisfaction and business success.
What exactly is a Company Culture Book?
Good question! A company culture book is very different from an employee handbook. In an employee handbook, you can expect to find sections related to benefits, policies, regulations, and more that make up the necessary legal and technical information required for your employees. In other words – something to cover the complicated stuff. You may also find a section dedicated to company culture – but it generally doesn t take up as much space as your other sections.
A company culture book is dedicated to helping employees understand what drives your company. What does your company believe in? What are your values? How did you get where you are today? These are all questions that should be answered in your company culture book. 88% of job seekers say that a healthy culture at work is vital for success – it s essential to let job seekers know that your workplace culture is perfect for them!
Curious about how to build your company culture book? AirMason is just the tool you need to make a creative and captivating company culture book that will help you grow your employee engagement instantly! We built an employee culture guide tailored for Netflix to showcase how AirMason can help you design and implement the perfect company culture book.
The importance of a healthy company culture cannot be overstated. A thriving organizational culture can lead to decreased turnover, increased brand loyalty, and a better ability to tackle challenges that may arise. Business leaders, HR managers, and executives can benefit from the guidance offered by company culture books, which cover topics such as organizational values, management approaches, and environmental factors that contribute to enhanced job satisfaction and employee potential.
These essential company culture books provide real-life examples and management tips from highly successful groups, offering invaluable insights into improving company culture and achieving success in the business world. Leaders can use the knowledge gained from these books to revamp their organizations, fostering a workplace that promotes employee engagement, job satisfaction, and ultimately, business success.
Enhancing Organizational Health
Organizational health plays a significant role in a company’s success. Books such as “The Culture Code” by Daniel Coyle and “The Advantage” by Patrick M. Lencioni delve into the world of organizational health, providing examples of successful groups with superior cultures like:
- The U.S. Navy’s SEAL Team Six, renowned for their exemplary accomplishments
- Zappo’s, a successful business model where organizational health trumps other factors
- The San Antonio Spurs, a successful business model
Lencioni’s model for organizational health is based on four disciplines that emphasize communication, highlighting the importance of a unified vision for the company’s trajectory.
A notable quote from “The Advantage” states, “The only way for a leader to foster a secure atmosphere for their team to be open is by taking the initiative and performing something that feels insecure and uneasy first… This provides them with the authority and the assurance to request others to do the same”.
When leaders address their biases and focus on fostering a healthy culture, organizations unlock their potential for success.
Creating Empowering Work Environments
Creating an empowering work environment is essential for employee happiness and engagement. Books such as “Delivering Happiness” by Tony Hsieh and “Humanocracy” by Gary Hamel and Michele Zanini emphasize the significance of fostering a work environment that prioritizes employee contentment and commitment. Such environments often lead to improved job fulfillment and inventiveness, ultimately contributing to the organization’s overall success.
To create an open work environment, managers can take on the role of mentors, and employees can be given autonomy over their roles and responsibilities. In “The Best Place to Work,” author Ron Friedman examines various aspects of rewarding failure, the influence of office design on motivation, and hostage-negotiator-inspired techniques for resolving workplace disputes.
Organizations can foster empowering work environments that enhance job satisfaction and employee engagement by implementing the strategies outlined in these books.
Company Culture Book #1 – Company Origin Story
Whether you re a newcomer or a veteran in your industry, your company has a valuable story to tell. Exactly where you came from – your origin. This will be one of your first sections in your company culture book! New hires will find this to be their first introduction to the roots of your company, showcasing your journey so far. 71.4% of respondents in a study on the benefits of a strong company culture believe that building a culture with a remote workforce is a challenge.
Giving people a purpose and a reason to work for your company will only skyrocket confidence and, as result, productivity. By focusing on adding an origin story to your company culture book, you can reduce the challenge a remote workplace brings and build engagement instantly!
Focus on writing the full story from past to present, leaving as few details as possible. Knowing what directions and visions your organization had in the past can help new, bright-eyed employees come up with exciting ideas for the future. One of the most helpful tools for new employees to dream big – your organization s values. Setting the stage for innovation and creativity for new hires can only be made possible by highlighting this key step in your company culture book.
Company Culture Book #2 – Company Values
What does your organization stand for? Your employees will want to know and understand what your company values in their employees. Your company culture book will provide your employees with that information, allowing them to connect more with the organization and what you stand for.
Core company values are essential in shaping your company s future and building a strong foundation for the right company culture. 91% of managers in the U.S. say a candidate s alignment with the company culture is equal to or more important than skills and experience.
Do you value responsible and ethical workers? Or workers who have the drive and expertise to be leaders within their industry? By helping your employees understand the values you place the most importance on, your company culture book will be a valuable and essential tool to rely on for new hires.
Company Culture Book #3 – Company Mission Statement
What does your company strive to be? Within your organization, there s no doubt that your employees may be working on a multitude of different tasks at different times. Because of that, the overall goals and m
ission of your company may become lost or no longer remain a priority. This is where focusing on your company mission statement within your compan
y culture book is a key tool to maintaining a strong connection with your employees.
As our friends at Achievers explain, a mission statement keeps everyone on the same page with respect to why you’re even in the business at all. Be sure to make this a priority within your company culture book, and keep your employees constantly focused on how and why you do the work that you do.
Company Culture Book #4 – Future Goals
Does your company have any clear financial or organizational goals you d like to achieve in the future? While all of your employees know that your company wants to consistently grow and prosper, they deserve to be kept in the loop for large and small-scale goals that the organization has. By maintaining a future goals section in your company culture book, your employees will be able to make strides within their work.
Focusing on how they can reach these goals efficiently and productively, employees that feel involved will want to invest the time into making your company better. The Harvard Business Review explains, no matter what level the employee is at, he should be able to articulate exactly how his efforts feed into the broader company strategy.
The London Business School s study on senior managers found that only one-third of senior managers can name their firm s top priorities. Your organization needs to avoid this by offering your company culture guide as a tool for employees to understand your organization s future goals. 
Company Culture Book #5 – Charitable Incentives
Every organization should focus on giving back to those in need, and organizational charitable incentives are a perfect way to focus on this. Your employees will want to work for an organization that is philanthropic and focused on bettering the world around them. Your company culture book will help employees feel connected to this cause by allowing them to see how exactly your organization focuses on charity.
71% of surveyed employees say it s very important to work at a company that supports giving and volunteering. As an organization focused on growing employee engagement and company culture, creating these sorts of company-wide charitable programs and making sure to express it in your company culture book is essential.
Guide your employees with more than just policies
Your employees want to love your company culture. It s incredibly important for them to work in a place that they support and can feel pride in associating with. The first step to reaching this is having your employees be able to access an employee culture book full of information that they re looking for.
AirMason will help you build that! Our team has helped countless organizations redefine their company culture and build books for them that inspire their employees. We re looking forward to how we can help you – come and learn more about how AirMason can be the perfect fit for you!
Building a Strong Corporate Culture
A strong corporate culture offers numerous advantages, such as:
- Increased employee engagement and satisfaction
- Improved productivity and performance
- Better recruitment and retention
- More efficient decision-making and problem-solving
- Amplified innovation and creativity
- A favorable brand image and reputation
Establishing a clear vision and mission, maintaining effective communication, investing in employee development, and upholding core values are essential elements for creating a strong corporate culture.
To ensure a robust corporate culture, ongoing communication, feedback, and recognition are crucial, as is a dedication to continuous improvement. Leaders can build a robust culture that propels success and cultivates a healthy work environment by drawing insights from the best company culture books and applying them to their organizations.
Core Values and Culture Alignment
Aligning company culture with core values is crucial for achieving the following:
- Heightened employee engagement
- Improved teamwork and collaboration
- Increased organizational performance
- Attracting and retaining top talent
Books such as “Fusion” by Denise Lee Yohn and “The Culture Blueprint” by Robert Richman discuss the importance of aligning company culture with core values, offering practical insights and examples of how this alignment can lead to better performance and employee satisfaction.
In “Fusion,” Denise Lee Yohn states, “It is evident that both culture and brand can be powerful business drivers when standing alone. However, when they are fused together and form an interdependent relationship between how the organization operates internally and how it is perceived externally, this can lead to new growth opportunities that would not have been possible by solely focusing on either one. Staying informed with the latest business news can help companies identify these opportunities and adapt accordingly.
Understanding the importance of aligning core values with culture enables organizations to foster a work environment conducive to success and employee satisfaction.
Leadership and Employee Engagement
Effective leadership and employee engagement are paramount for a successful company culture. Books such as “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek and “Radical Candor” by Kim Malone Scott provide guidance on fostering employee engagement through communication and trust. Sinek’s book emphasizes the importance of a servant leadership style, stating, “It is a natural human right to return from work feeling inspired, safe, fulfilled and grateful.”
“Radical Candor” encourages honesty and openness in the workplace, providing a framework for improving leadership and interpersonal relationships through truthful communication. Leaders can foster a culture characterised by employee engagement, open dialogue, and trust, contributing to a healthy and thriving company culture, by adopting the strategies these books outline.
Transforming Workplace Culture
Transforming workplace culture involves addressing common challenges and providing practical solutions to create a more positive work environment. Books such as “Culture by Design” by David Friedman and “The Fearless Organization” by Amy C. Edmondson explore the process of transforming workplace culture by offering insights and strategies for revitalizing organizational culture and fostering psychological safety.
Organizations can significantly improve employee engagement, job satisfaction, and overall success by addressing systemic issues and fostering a supportive work environment. Learning from the experiences of successful companies and the insights provided in these culture books can help organizations navigate the challenges of transforming workplace culture and emerge stronger and more resilient.
Navigating Systemic Issues
Books such as “Take Back Your Power” by Deborah Liu and “Why Employees Are Always a Bad Idea” by Chuck Blakeman provide valuable insights on navigating systemic issues within the workplace and advocating for change. By addressing and overcoming systemic challenges, organizations can create a more positive work environment that nurtures employee growth and innovation.
Liu’s book offers guidelines on creating a culture within the Participation Age, while Blakeman’s book discusses the shift from the Industrial Age and the importance of treating employees as colleagues and making work meaningful. Organizations can transform their workplace culture and foster an environment conducive to success and employee satisfaction by understanding and addressing systemic issues.
Fostering Psychological Safety
A psychologically safe work environment is essential for employee well-being and innovation. Books such as “The Fearless Organization” by Amy C. Edmondson and “Courageous Cultures” by Karin Hurt and David Dye emphasize the importance of psychological safety in the workplace, providing practical insights and strategies for fostering a supportive and open environment.
Creating a work environment that values psychological safety can help employees feel more comfortable expressing their opinions and expertise, ultimately leading to better decision-making, problem-solving, and overall success within the organization. Organizations that prioritize fostering psychological safety can cultivate a work environment that nurtures employee growth, well-being, and innovation.
Learning from Successful Companies
Successful companies often have a strong company culture that drives their success. Organizations can build a strong culture that promotes employee engagement, job satisfaction, and business success by learning from these companies and the insights gleaned from the best company culture books.
Industry leaders offer invaluable insights based on their experience and expertise, allowing organizations to stay competitive in the business world. Leaders can foster a successful and innovative work environment by understanding the culture of successful businesses and applying their strategies to their own organizations.
Inside Google and Netflix
Google and Netflix are renowned for their exceptional company cultures that prioritize employee freedom, responsibility, and creativity. Books such as “No Rules Rules” by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer and “Powerful” by Patty McCord provide an inside look at the culture of these successful companies and their approach to fostering innovation and employee satisfaction.
Gaining insights from the experiences of successful firms like Google and Netflix can guide organizations in building a culture that promotes employee engagement, innovation, and overall success. Adopting the strategies outlined in these books can help organizations create a work environment that nurtures success and drives innovation.
Insights from Industry Leaders
Books such as “The Culture Book” by Weeva and Culturati present insights from industry leaders on building a successful company culture through shared values and vision. These books offer invaluable knowledge, allowing organizations to learn from the experiences of successful companies and their leaders.
Understanding the significance of shared values and vision in constructing a successful company culture can steer organizations towards creating a work environment that bolsters success and innovation. Learning from industry leaders and their insights can help organizations transform their company culture and drive success in today’s competitive business landscape.
Summary
In conclusion, transforming company culture is essential for organizations to thrive in today’s competitive business landscape. By learning from the best company culture books of 2023 and applying their insights, organizations can create a healthy work environment that fosters employee engagement, job satisfaction, and ultimately, a successful business.
So whether you’re an HR manager, executive, or a business leader looking to improve your organization’s culture, these books provide invaluable guidance to help you navigate the challenges of transforming workplace culture and emerge stronger and more resilient. It’s time to embrace the power of a healthy company culture and unlock the potential for success that lies within your organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you create a company culture book?
Create your own Culture Book by asking your teammates to provide Value Stories, printing and distributing a list of Core Values, and having everyone choose their own values.
What are the 4 C’s of company culture?
The 4 C’s of company culture are cooperation, collaboration, contribution and community. These elements emphasize communication, collaboration, creativity and competence to align the organizational goals with individual goals for a successful corporate culture.
What are the 3 C’s of company culture?
The Three Cs of Company Culture are Communication, Connection and Celebration. These help create a culture of connection, empowerment, motivation and loyalty which in turn increases productivity.
What should be included in a company culture book?
Creating a culture book should include a mission statement to explain why the company is doing what it does, a vision of where the company is going, clear values that define how team members should behave and prioritize, and a definition of the company culture to give a sense of the vibe.
The mission statement should be clear and concise, and should explain the company’s purpose and goals. The vision should be aspirational and inspiring, and should provide a roadmap for the company’s future. The values should be meaningful and actionable, and should guide team members in their day-to-day decisions. Finally, the definition of the company culture should be unique.
What are some essential company culture books to read in 2023?
These essential books on company culture can help you stay ahead in 2023: “The Culture Code” by Daniel Coyle, “The Advantage” by Patrick M. Lencioni, and “Delivering Happiness” by Tony Hsieh.
These books provide insight into how to create a successful and productive work environment. They offer advice on how to build trust, foster collaboration, and create a culture of innovation. They also provide tips on how to manage change and create a culture of accountability.
