Career Advice

Why company culture matters, and how you can contribute

School spirit doesn't end when you graduate. Understand what company culture means, and how to contribute in a positive way.

August 25, 2023 6 minute read

Every company has its own unique culture—the way work gets done, the policies and procedures it uses, the way people in it treat each other, and how it feels to work there.

As an employee, you have an impact on company culture—even if you’re in an entry-level role.

Learn what makes for a positive culture and how to contribute in a way that benefits you and your employer.

Key takeaways

Companies value employees who contribute positively to its culture
You can contribute positively to a company’s culture by being kind and genuine
A lot of a company’s culture is unspoken—it’s just “the way we do it here”
Companies with a positive culture are more successful
Everyone in an organization contributes to its culture
A positive workplace culture makes for happier employees

What is company culture?

Whenever humans form groups, they create culture. They agree, either explicitly or implicitly, to follow certain rules and expectations. Your family has its own culture. Your community and your school do, too. At its core, culture comes down to what people do and how they do it. Places of work are no different.

Whether an organization realizes it or not, they have a culture. It shows up in a lot of ways:

Methods of communication within the company and externally
Company policies and expectations of employees
How new employees are onboarded
The way conflicts are resolved
How interviews are conducted
How people give and receive feedback on performance
The vision and mission of the company
Leadership styles and interactions
Willingness to try out new ideas

Some companies are good at creating a positive culture; some aren’t. And this matters a lot.

Positive company cultures are ones that are collaborative, have good communication, and where there is a high level of trust.

Why company culture matters

You know the saying, “Have your feelings, or your feelings will have you?” It means that we can either acknowledge our feelings and how they’re affecting us, or we can deal with the havoc they create because we ignored them.

It’s the same with company culture. Culture exists whether it’s acknowledged or not. If a company does nothing to nurture a positive culture, they run the risk of a negative one developing on its own.

Companies with a positive culture are generally more enjoyable places to work—go figure! Positive company cultures tend to be collaborative, have good communication, and promote a high level of trust.

It’s no surprise that job seekers tend to avoid companies with bad reviews on company culture.

A positive company culture benefits the company’s bottom line and the people who work there. Positive company culture is associated with:

Higher worker satisfaction
Less employee turnover
Happier, more engaged employees
Increased productivity
Higher revenues

Korn Ferry Consulting

How do you know if a company has a positive company culture?

Job seekers are wise to look for companies with a positive company culture. But how do you know before you’re hired what a company’s culture will be like?

These are some sources that can help:

The company website, especially its “about” page and their vision and mission statements
The social media presence of the leadership team
Customer reviews
Sites like Glassdoor and Indeed
Word-of-mouth and your own network

Also, trust your gut, based on your interactions with the company. When you interview, do you feel like your time is valued, or are you made to feel you should be grateful to be there? If you interview in person, how does it feel when you walk into the building? How do people interact with one another? You can tell a lot by observing the environment yourself.

MSU Worklife Office

Employers who have cultivated a positive company culture look for employees to add to it.

How can you add positively to a company’s culture?

Employers who have cultivated a positive company culture look for employees to add to it. Remember we said that culture exists whether it’s acknowledged or not? You have an impact on that culture whether you realize it or not. Why not be intentional about your contribution to it?

Make a pact with yourself that you will add positively to your company’s culture. Commit to some or all of these positive behaviors:

Act with integrity
Show genuine interest in your coworkers
Use active listening skills—say, “I heard you say….” or “Do I have this right?”
When you disagree with an idea, do so respectfully
Show appreciation
Give credit where it’s due—especially when someone’s contributions are overlooked by others

You can’t overcome a toxic workplace with a sunny attitude. But if the culture is already positive, your employer will notice if you’re consistently respectful, honest, and kind.

Harvard Business Review

Take steps to make a bigger impact that you genuinely feel good about

Companies often have various initiatives in play at the same time. Find pathways within the company that line up with the things you care about. Some examples are joining a committee on community partnerships, a study group on employee wellness, or professional learning sub-committees.

When you line up your professional growth with the company’s larger goals, you’ll naturally become a good cultural fit within the company.

No matter how great your job is, don’t let it take over your life

You know those television shows, like The Office or 30 Rock, that are set in the workplace? And everyone in the show—even the annoying characters—are over-involved in one another’s lives? They look like their coworkers are the only important people in their lives. Don’t you wonder why they don’t have personal lives outside of work? Or why they aren’t with family or other friends on holidays?

Sure, it works for the sake of the plot, but in real life that looks pretty unbalanced. The point is, don’t go overboard trying to fit into the culture. You want to give your best effort and create positive connections at work, but you need to set healthy boundaries, too.

Sure, go out after work occasionally or join up for a weekend activity. The effort will help you form friendships, which are nice to have with people you work with for 40 hours a week. Don’t be pressured into giving up all your free time for work-related social events, though. Unlike Pam and Jim, or Liz and Jack, you should maintain your other important relationships.

Final thoughts

When it comes to company culture, you want to land with an employer that makes an effort to create a good one. Once you’re there, do what you can to support that effort. Use your powers for good—your bosses will take note.