Working in a positive and engaging work environment is attractive to all people. We want to work somewhere we enjoy going. Building this type of culture is certainly easier said than done. There are many dos and don’ts for building a workplace culture.
In our more than twenty years of executive search experience in Toronto, our recruiters have identified the top things that can either build a strong workplace culture or kill it. We’ll discuss this below:
What Are The Top Factors To Build A Strong Workplace Culture?
A great company culture doesn’t happen overnight. One fun team event or pizza party doesn’t define the culture. It starts at the top with leadership and is built over time by establishing trust. Here are the top factors that build a strong workplace culture:
1. Leadership
People don’t leave jobs—they leave managers. This statement couldn’t be more true. Leadership plays a huge role in shaping workplace culture, yet many leaders underestimate just how much their actions influence the overall environment. We speak with thousands of employees every year, and we hear this sentiment echoed constantly. When leadership is lacking, it impacts everything—morale, engagement, productivity, and retention. A strong, supportive manager can make all the difference, while poor leadership can quickly cause even the best talent to walk.
2. Authenticity and transparency
Authenticity and transparency are essential to building a strong company culture because they create a foundation of trust, respect, and genuine connection—things every great workplace needs to thrive. People want to know where leadership stands, what they think, and what they are planning to do.
3. Trust
Culture is rooted in trust. Without trust, even the best-intentioned workplace culture can quickly unravel. While it often stems from poor leadership, a lack of trust shows up in many forms, such as micromanagement or hidden agendas. These issues don’t just damage morale, they drive people out. We regularly see employees leave organizations for exactly these reasons. Trust isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation of a healthy, thriving culture.
POLL: What’s The Biggest Workplace Culture Killer?
IQPARTNERS recently conducted a LinkedIn Poll to identify the top things that are considered to be workplace culture killers. These are the types of things that will hinder your ability to build a strong culture. Overwhelmingly topping the list is poor leadership. 66% of respondents answered that this is the biggest cultural killer. This was followed by gossip/negativity (19%) and lack of flexibility (13%).
So, the 3 don’ts for building a workplace culture are:
- Poor leadership/high turnover
- Gossip/negativity/criticism
- Lack of flexibility/work-life balance
Here are the complete results:
A Final Word About Building A Strong Company Culture
Building a strong workplace culture takes time, intention, and consistent effort. A positive, engaging environment attracts top talent, boosts morale, and keeps people motivated. As we’ve seen through years of recruitment experience, the most successful companies prioritize leadership, authenticity, transparency, and trust. On the flip side, poor leadership, negativity, and a lack of flexibility can quickly erode even the best efforts. Culture isn’t built through perks or one-off events—it’s built every day through actions, values, and the way people are treated. Investing in your culture is investing in the long-term success of your team and your organization.
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