Cultivating a Winning Company Culture: Takeaways from the Best Successful Startups
Introduction
Today, company culture is one of the biggest benefits we can offer in a fast-moving world—not merely an accessory. Startups specifically have honed their prowess in cultivating culture to attract and retain talent, increase productivity, and inspire innovation. What can observers of these culture-first, flexible companies learn? Let’s unpack our key takeaways from successful startups that built successful company cultures from the ground up.
1. Start with a Clear Mission and Vision
Great startups communicate and articulate their "why" early on. In the corporate world, generally, the mission is used as a gut check, or as "the compass" to help guide decision-making and motivate employees.
Takeaway: Having a clear and concise mission brings people together, and draws in people who share similar values and concerns. Think about how 'Tesla' supports sustainability, or how 'Airbnb' built a culture of “belonging.”
2. Hire for Culture Add, Not Culture Fit:
There is a difference, and while it is necessary to fit into the culture, startups are starting to hire people last might add to the culture by bringing diverse perceptions, ideas and experiences.
Takeaway: Hire people who will contribute something different, but are aligned with your values. More diversity will foster innovation.
3. Empower, Not Micromanage.
Startups thrive on autonomy and trust. Workers can take action, explore, and fail all on their own.
Takeaway: Build a culture of responsibility, not top down control. Using tools like OKR (Objectives and Key Results) can help you have clear goals while giving workers the flexibility to attain them.
4. Build Transparency into Your Culture
In high-performing cultures, salary bands are "transparent by default" and organizational performance is too. You are eliminating internal politics and increasing trust in the organization.
As an example: Companies like "Buffer" publicly share internal metrics and salaries. Such transparency actually creates greater accountability and loyalty.
5. Celebrate the Doing, Not the Perfect
Startups know that the key to motivation is momentum. On the path to where they want to get to, they celebrate small wins, MVPs (minimum viable products), and teamwork.
Takeaway: Don't wait for significant milestones to consider recognition. A weekly wins list or Slack shout-outs are extremely helpful.
6. Create Rituals and Symbols That Embed Values
Fast growing startups have developed unique processes, such as open demos, culture days and other wacky Slack channels, to inculcate culture into day to day life.
As an example: Zappos is famous for giving every new employee a "quitting bonus" to ensure only employees who fit their culture stick around.
7. Promote Feedback and Transparency
Feedback is a two-way street in great startup cultures. Leaders ask for feedback freely, and team members are encouraged to share what they think.
Takeaways: Have anonymous surveys, retrospective sessions, and open-door policies to foster an environment of constant improvement.
8. Invest in People, Not Perks
Startups know that ping pong tables aren't as valuable as "learning opportunities". Startups invest in education, career paths, and mentorship.
Takeaway: Provide learning and growth opportunities for your people and show them how valuable they are to the business.
Creating a strong company culture isn't about emulating start up perks; it's about embedding "clarity, ownership, and purpose" at all levels. Whether you're a startup or well established, these lessons provide you with a template for building a culture that people love to be
a part of and one that builds enduring success.
Introduction
Today, company culture is one of the biggest benefits we can offer in a fast-moving world—not merely an accessory. Startups specifically have honed their prowess in cultivating culture to attract and retain talent, increase productivity, and inspire innovation. What can observers of these culture-first, flexible companies learn? Let’s unpack our key takeaways from successful startups that built successful company cultures from the ground up.
1. Start with a Clear Mission and Vision
Great startups communicate and articulate their "why" early on. In the corporate world, generally, the mission is used as a gut check, or as "the compass" to help guide decision-making and motivate employees.
Takeaway: Having a clear and concise mission brings people together, and draws in people who share similar values and concerns. Think about how 'Tesla' supports sustainability, or how 'Airbnb' built a culture of “belonging.”
2. Hire for Culture Add, Not Culture Fit:
There is a difference, and while it is necessary to fit into the culture, startups are starting to hire people last might add to the culture by bringing diverse perceptions, ideas and experiences.
Takeaway: Hire people who will contribute something different, but are aligned with your values. More diversity will foster innovation.
3. Empower, Not Micromanage.
Startups thrive on autonomy and trust. Workers can take action, explore, and fail all on their own.
Takeaway: Build a culture of responsibility, not top down control. Using tools like OKR (Objectives and Key Results) can help you have clear goals while giving workers the flexibility to attain them.
4. Build Transparency into Your Culture
In high-performing cultures, salary bands are "transparent by default" and organizational performance is too. You are eliminating internal politics and increasing trust in the organization.
As an example: Companies like "Buffer" publicly share internal metrics and salaries. Such transparency actually creates greater accountability and loyalty.
5. Celebrate the Doing, Not the Perfect
Startups know that the key to motivation is momentum. On the path to where they want to get to, they celebrate small wins, MVPs (minimum viable products), and teamwork.
Takeaway: Don't wait for significant milestones to consider recognition. A weekly wins list or Slack shout-outs are extremely helpful.
6. Create Rituals and Symbols That Embed Values
Fast growing startups have developed unique processes, such as open demos, culture days and other wacky Slack channels, to inculcate culture into day to day life.
As an example: Zappos is famous for giving every new employee a "quitting bonus" to ensure only employees who fit their culture stick around.
7. Promote Feedback and Transparency
Feedback is a two-way street in great startup cultures. Leaders ask for feedback freely, and team members are encouraged to share what they think.
Takeaways: Have anonymous surveys, retrospective sessions, and open-door policies to foster an environment of constant improvement.
8. Invest in People, Not Perks
Startups know that ping pong tables aren't as valuable as "learning opportunities". Startups invest in education, career paths, and mentorship.
Takeaway: Provide learning and growth opportunities for your people and show them how valuable they are to the business.
Creating a strong company culture isn't about emulating start up perks; it's about embedding "clarity, ownership, and purpose" at all levels. Whether you're a startup or well established, these lessons provide you with a template for building a culture that people love to be
a part of and one that builds enduring success.