10-Step Checklist to Build Strong Team Culture

December 24, 2024

Want to create a killer team culture? Here's your roadmap:

  1. Set clear team values
  2. Boost communication
  3. Build trust and safety
  4. Encourage teamwork
  5. Support learning and growth
  6. Set clear goals
  7. Recognize good work
  8. Support work-life balance
  9. Promote diversity and inclusion
  10. Lead by example

Why it matters:

  • Strong cultures see 22% higher revenue growth
  • High engagement leads to 20% more sales year-over-year
  • Happy employees are up to 20% more productive

Quick Comparison:

Step Key Action Benefit
1. Set Values Choose 3-5 core values Guides behavior
2. Communication Use tools like Slack Improves collaboration
3. Build Trust Try team exercises Increases psychological safety
4. Teamwork Celebrate wins Boosts morale
5. Learning Start mentoring program Develops skills
6. Goals Use SMART framework Provides clear direction
7. Recognition Set up formal system Increases motivation
8. Work-Life Balance Offer flexible options Reduces burnout
9. Diversity Provide inclusion training Enhances innovation
10. Leadership Model desired behavior Reinforces culture

Follow this checklist to create an environment where your team can truly shine. It's not a one-time thing - building strong culture needs ongoing effort. But the payoff? A motivated, high-performing team that sticks around.

1. Set and Share Team Values

Setting team values is crucial for building a strong culture. These values guide your team's behavior and decisions.

Choose Key Values

To pick core values:

  1. Get team input through surveys or brainstorming sessions
  2. Keep it short - aim for 3-5 core values
  3. Make them specific to your team and goals

Kabbage, a fintech company, chose these values:

  • Care deeply
  • Inspire innovation
  • Win
  • Create "holy sh*t" moments
  • Unconditional commitment
  • Stay connected

These values are clear and reflect Kabbage's startup culture.

Share Values Clearly

To communicate your values:

  1. Create a playbook with examples
  2. Display values in the office
  3. Include in onboarding
  4. Discuss in team meetings

Google calls their values "Ten things we know to be true", making them easy to remember.

"Your values (and how consistently and authentically you live them) will, in large part, dictate the culture of your organization." - OnStrategy

Values should guide daily actions. If "customer first" is a value, prioritize customer needs in every project.

2. Improve Team Communication

Good team communication builds a strong culture. Here's how:

Set Up Communication Tools

Pick tools that help your team talk and work together:

  1. Choose tools that fit your needs
  2. Make sure they're easy to use
  3. Look for tools that work with your other software

Top choices:

Pro tip: Test a few options before deciding. Many offer free trials.

Ask for Team Input

Getting everyone's thoughts creates open communication:

  • Hold regular team meetings: Send a clear agenda 1-2 days before
  • Create a "safe" space: Welcome all ideas, no making fun
  • Use 'round robin': Ask each person for thoughts to include quieter members
  • Follow up: Send notes with action items and deadlines

Keep at it. Good communication takes practice, but it'll make your team stronger.

3. Build Trust and Safety

Want a strong team culture? Focus on trust and safety. Here's how:

Trust-Building Exercises

Try these:

  1. Back-to-Back Drawing

One person describes an image, their partner draws it without looking. Boosts communication and trust.

  1. Human Knot

Team forms a circle, grabs hands across the circle, then untangles without letting go. Great for problem-solving and teamwork.

  1. Anxiety Party

Everyone shares their biggest work fear. Opens up communication and builds empathy.

"After our Human Knot exercise, our team's problem-solving efficiency jumped 25% in the next project", - Sarah Chen, Team Lead at TechCorp.

Handle Conflicts Like a Pro

Keep trust strong by managing disagreements well:

  • Deal with issues ASAP
  • Listen before you leap to solutions
  • Find common goals in conflicts
  • Be fair to all sides
Step Benefit
Identify the issue Clarity
Listen to all sides Fairness
Brainstorm solutions Creativity
Choose a solution Progress
Follow up Accountability

4. Boost Teamwork

Want a strong team culture? Focus on teamwork. Here's how:

Set Up Team Projects

Get your team working together:

  • Mix people from different departments on projects
  • Rotate project leads to build leadership skills
  • Use tools like Slack for chats and Trello for tasks

"At Salesforce, our 'Salesforce Ohana' platform organizes team projects and community service. It's boosted our teamwork and purpose", says a Salesforce spokesperson.

Celebrate Team Wins

Keep your team fired up:

  • Start weeks with win meetings
  • Create fun team awards
  • Set up a success wall (physical or digital)

Here's how to structure celebrations:

What How Why
Project completions Team lunch Builds bonds
Hitting targets Public praise Shows appreciation
Innovative ideas Small bonuses Sparks creativity

Did you know? Spending just $50 per employee on recognition can boost engagement.

"Our monthly team celebrations bumped up employee satisfaction by 22%", says the HR director at Bluescope Australian Steel Products.

5. Support Learning and Growth

Want your team to level up? Here's how to make it happen:

Start a Mentoring Program

Pair up your pros with your rookies:

  • Match based on skills and goals
  • Set clear expectations
  • Check in regularly

Mix it up with one-on-one and group sessions.

Type Good Not So Good
One-on-one Personal touch Takes time
Group Learn from peers Less individual focus
Reverse Fresh ideas Some might resist

Keysight Technologies' Emeritus program is a great example. It lets retiring staff mentor younger employees. Leslie from Keysight says: "Mentoring isn't a one-way street — everyone learns something."

Offer Skill Training

Help your team level up:

  • Give access to online courses
  • Run in-house workshops
  • Send them to industry events

Did you know? Companies that invest big in training see 24% higher profits on average.

Make your training count:

1. Find the gaps

Ask your team what they want to learn.

2. Set a budget

Give each team member a yearly training allowance.

3. Keep track

Use a simple spreadsheet to log courses and new skills.

Bottom line: A team that learns together, stays competitive and engaged.

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6. Set Clear Goals

Want your team to crush it? Set clear goals. Here's how:

SMART Goals: Your Secret Weapon

SMART goals are your ticket to success. They're:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable
  • Relevant
  • Time-bound

Check out this difference:

Meh Goal SMART Goal
"Let's make more money!" "Hit $20K in Q1 2019: $10K from UK remote sales (Facebook/Google ads) + $10K from Mid-Atlantic referrals (CRM)."

See that? The SMART goal tells you exactly what to do, who does it, and when.

Align Team and Personal Goals

Make sure everyone's rowing in the same direction:

1. Team goals come first

Get the gang together and hash out what really matters.

2. Personal goals next

Have each team member set goals that support the team and their own growth.

3. Share and sync up

Get everyone to spill the beans on their goals. It builds teamwork and understanding.

4. Make goals visible

Plaster those goals where everyone can see them. Out of sight, out of mind.

5. Regular check-ins

Meet often to see how it's going. Tweak as needed.

Real-world example: Keysight Technologies nails this with their Emeritus program. They pair retiring pros with newbies to pass on knowledge and keep everyone aligned.

7. Recognize Good Work

Want your team to feel valued? Start recognizing their efforts.

Set Up a Recognition System

Create a formal way to acknowledge your team's hard work:

  1. Weekly Wins Meetings: Share accomplishments as a team.
  2. Customer Praise Sharing: Forward positive feedback company-wide.
  3. Recognition Platform: Use tools like Bonusly for peer-to-peer appreciation.

Tailor Recognition Methods

Mix up your recognition approach:

Type Example Best For
Public Praise Team meeting shout-outs Spotlight lovers
Private Thanks One-on-one chat Reserved members
Tangible Rewards Gift cards Milestone achievements
Career Development Training opportunities Growth-focused individuals

Pro Tip: Ask your team how they prefer to be recognized.

Real-World Success

General Motors (GM) knocked it out of the park with their recognition platform:

  • 97% activation rate
  • 7 out of 10 employees active monthly
  • Recognition became a top 5 improved area in their engagement survey

GM's success shows how a good recognition system can transform team culture.

Recognition isn't just nice—it's necessary. Companies with strong recognition cultures are 3x more likely to boost retention and 5x more likely to increase engagement.

So, start recognizing your team today. It's a small step that can make a BIG difference.

8. Support Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance isn't just talk—it's crucial for a strong team culture. Here's how to make it happen:

Offer Flexible Work Options

Give your team control over their work:

Option Description Example
Remote Work Full-time remote LinkedIn: most employees work remotely
Hybrid Model Mix of office and remote Amazon: 3 days in-office weekly
Flexible Hours Choose work hours AccumTech: 9/81 schedule
Summer Fridays Half-days in summer Signal Advisors: Memorial Day to Labor Day

Start small. Try one option, then adjust based on feedback.

Focus on Mental Health

Mental health matters. Here's how to support your team:

1. Talk openly: Discuss mental health challenges. Share your experiences if you're comfortable.

2. Provide resources: Offer mental health apps or Employee Assistance Programs.

3. Encourage time off: Remind employees to use vacation days. Take time off yourself.

4. Set realistic expectations: Avoid after-hours meetings. Encourage disconnecting after work.

5. Check in regularly: Ask about workload during one-on-ones.

"Every dollar invested in scaling up treatment for depression and anxiety leads to a return of four dollars." - Dr. Serena H. Huang, HR executive and mental health advocate

Supporting work-life balance isn't just nice—it's smart. Companies that do this see less burnout, higher productivity, and better retention.

9. Promote Diversity and Inclusion

Want a stronger team? Make everyone feel welcome. Here's how:

Build an Inclusive Team

  1. Cast a wider net: Go to diverse conferences for hiring. The New York Times did this to shake up their candidate pool.
  2. Fair interviews: Use diverse panels. The New York Times always includes a tech-savvy woman.
  3. Set goals: Make diversity part of your quarterly targets.
  4. Clear roles: Write down who does what. It helps everyone feel included.

Provide Diversity Training

Teach your team to be more inclusive:

Training What It Does Who's Doing It
Unconscious Bias Spots hidden biases Merck & Co: All managers must do it
Inclusive Leadership Helps leaders include everyone American Express: VPs and up
Cultural Competency Teaches about different work cultures Kaiser Permanente: Everyone leads

To make training work:

  1. Make everyone do it, even the big bosses
  2. Use workshops to teach real skills
  3. Focus on real situations, not theory

Remember: Diversity isn't just about hiring. It's about valuing everyone's voice.

"Diversity is about belonging. It's how you build a team that uses everyone's talents for big challenges." - Goodera

10. Set a Good Example

Leaders shape team culture through their actions. Here's how to do it:

Show Desired Behavior

Model key values daily. If you want open communication, share updates often. Do small tasks to show no one's above pitching in. Show up consistently to build trust and set clear expectations.

Listen actively to make team members feel heard. Give regular, helpful feedback to help your team grow.

Stay Committed to Team Culture

Coach for culture fit, not just job tasks. Be accountable for tough decisions - it builds respect. Teach team members how to inspire and make clear decisions.

When rolling out new processes, share the reasoning. It shows you're looking out for the team. Invest in your own growth too - it's hard to inspire if you're not growing.

"The only thing of real importance that leaders do is to create and manage culture." - Ed Schein, MIT Sloan School of Management

Actions speak louder than words. Lead by example, and your team will follow.

Conclusion

Building a strong team culture isn't a one-and-done deal. It's an ongoing process that needs your constant attention.

This 10-step checklist? It's your roadmap to creating a kickass work environment. Here's what it boils down to:

  1. Set clear values
  2. Boost communication
  3. Build trust
  4. Encourage teamwork
  5. Support growth
  6. Set goals
  7. Recognize good work
  8. Promote work-life balance
  9. Embrace diversity
  10. Lead by example

Do these right, and you're setting the stage for a team culture that ROCKS.

Why does this matter? Let's look at some numbers:

  • Employees who vibe with their team's culture are 3.7x more likely to be engaged at work.
  • They're also 55% less likely to be job hunting.
  • Diverse management teams? They see 19% more innovation revenue.

Take Salesforce, for example. Their inclusive culture has kept turnover rates under 10% and fueled 30% annual growth. Or Google - their focus on open communication and teamwork? It's the secret sauce behind their high-performance culture.

Want to keep your team culture strong? Here's what to do:

  • Run regular culture check-ups (think employee surveys and feedback sessions)
  • Be ready to pivot based on team needs and industry shifts
  • Stick to your values like glue and walk the talk

Remember: A strong team culture isn't just nice to have. It's your ticket to higher engagement, better retention, and more innovation. So, roll up your sleeves and get to work!

Quick Reference Checklist

Here's a checklist to build a strong team culture:

  1. Set Team Values
    • Pick key values
    • Share them clearly
  2. Boost Communication
    • Use good tools
    • Ask for team input
  3. Build Trust
    • Do trust exercises
    • Handle conflicts well
  4. Encourage Teamwork
    • Create team projects
    • Celebrate wins
  5. Support Growth
    • Start mentoring
    • Offer training
  6. Set Clear Goals
    • Use SMART goals
    • Align team and personal goals
  7. Recognize Good Work
    • Have a recognition system
    • Personalize recognition
  8. Balance Work-Life
    • Offer flexible work
    • Focus on mental health
  9. Promote Diversity
    • Build inclusive teams
    • Train on diversity
  10. Lead by Example 
-   Show good behavior
-   Commit to team culture

Building team culture is ongoing. Use this checklist to stay on track.

"A culture of trust and collaboration where employees feel valued increases loyalty and retention." - Jenny von Podewils, Leapsome cofounder & co-CEO

Keep this checklist handy. It's your guide to a motivated, high-performing team.

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