Here in Flagstaff, where our business community is tight-knit, workplace culture sets the tone for how your company is perceived across town. It defines what you stand for and shapes not just how your team interacts, but how you’re known throughout our mountain community. 

A positive workplace culture can be your best recruiter, especially in a close-knit community like Flagstaff. We have seen this firsthand—having placed over 300 local candidates in 2024 alone, we know that word travels fast about companies with great workplace cultures. When your business has a stellar reputation in town, talented local professionals are naturally drawn to your team. 

Happy Employees, High Performance: The Importance of Work Culture 

A positive work culture influences important aspects of the employee experience, including individual and team morale, engagement, and job satisfaction. For instance, research shows that employees’ productivity can rise by 12 percent when they are happy at work.¹ 

However, practices that create a toxic workplace culture can push an organization in the wrong direction, making it hard to retain and keep good employees. A 2022 survey of job seekers found that 23 percent of respondents said “company values and culture” greatly influenced their decision to accept a job offer.  

The same study also revealed that 21 percent of candidates listed “poor company culture” as their main reason for leaving a job in the past year. Also, 34 percent reported leaving a job within the first 90 days because the “company culture was not what they expected.² 

That is why establishing a positive workplace culture shapes employees’ experience in your organization and guides potential candidates on whether they want to join your team. A positive work environment can strengthen your staffing initiatives by appealing to candidates looking for a supportive workplace. 

How to Promote a Positive Culture at Work 

Most employees say they can tell if a company’s culture is a good fit for them in less than a month, and many can decide in just a week. This shows the importance of making meaningful cultural changes sooner rather than later. 

Here are tips on nurturing a positive company culture that improves morale, engagement, and productivity. 

Define your core values. 

Your core principles should be the foundation for everything in your organization. Take the time needed to ensure everyone, including leaders, long-term employees, and HR representatives, is on the same page so all voices are heard. 

For example, if one of your core values is “communication,” make sure that this is reflected in how your administrative assistants keep everyone informed about meetings and deadlines. If “innovation” is a core value, encourage them to suggest new tools or methods for improving office efficiency. U 

Ultimately, you should have a clear list of values that truly represent your current organizational culture and future goals. Here are a few more examples: 

• If honesty is a core value, ensure your team is clear and truthful with job roles and expectations. 
• If diversity is important to you, make sure you actively seek talent from different backgrounds to create a more inclusive workplace. 
• If growth is a core value, encourage your team to provide employee training and development opportunities. 
• If compassion is a value, train your leaders to treat every employee with respect and kindness throughout the entire employee experience, from hiring to offboarding. 

Implement a firm zero-tolerance policy. 

Creating a positive work culture, particularly in our Flagstaff community where many colleagues cross paths both at work and around town, means fostering an environment where employees feel safe discussing any concerns. 

Employees should feel they can talk about challenges they are facing, be it about work-related stress, personal problems, or uncomfortable situations in the workplace, without worrying about being judged or ignored. 

This starts by ensuring your HR team is approachable and flexible enough to be available for private, meaningful conversations when employees reach out. Instead of sticking to strict schedules or formal meetings, encourage open-door policies where employees can drop by and talk whenever they feel ready. 

Another great way to build this supportive environment is by setting up an anonymous hotline. It gives employees a discreet, secure way to report issues or incidents without fear of retaliation or stigma. Knowing they have a safe space to voice concerns helps employees feel protected and respected, which, in turn, can strengthen trust and overall morale within the company. 

This level of trust and open communication strengthens both workplace relationships and our broader community connections. 

Bring on individuals who are eager to grow and develop. 

A positive work culture starts with hiring the right people from day one. Zippia found that 76 percent of employees seek ways to grow their careers.³ You can attract these candidates by showing your company’s focus on professional development and offering clear paths for advancement in your organization. 

When hiring, consider if candidates are excited by the growth and opportunities you can offer—not just big salaries and vacation time. Look for people who are passionate about your company’s mission and goals. 

It is more important to find someone who fits your company culture and has a growth mindset than to focus only on experience. Hire for attitude and eagerness to learn. This way, you will have employees happy to grow and improve with your company, rather than someone who is just there to clock in and out without much interest in your organization’s vision. 

Appreciate what your employees bring to the table. 

If your employees are putting in the effort and doing great work, tell them. Regular and sincere recognition can boost morale and keep everyone motivated and productive. You can create an employee recognition program in which team members and managers nominate their peers for their contributions. This kind of recognition lifts spirits and creates a culture of appreciation. 

You can do this by sending a quick thank-you email, having managers share praises about their teams, or even hosting an organization-wide lunch to celebrate employees. Taking the time to show your appreciation goes a long way to keeping employees engaged and motivated. 

While recognizing employees is important for a positive work culture, it is even more crucial to do it in a way that feels meaningful to them. Some employees appreciate a private note of thanks more than a public shout-out. Managers should take the time to understand their team’s preferences for recognition and personalize their approach accordingly. 

Keep lines of communication open and active. 

This might seem like a well-worn phrase, but good communication is important for helping employees feel secure and cared for in the workplace. 

Building strong relationships with your employees helps create an environment where they feel comfortable coming to you with any concerns or topics they want to discuss. You can ensure clear communication by holding weekly one-on-one meetings, conducting monthly town hall sessions, or sharing regular internal newsletters.  

Also, consider sending out employee surveys to collect feedback and insights. If you are looking for a starting point, here are some questions you can ask your employees: 

• What is going well in the organization? 
• What aspects of our culture could use improvement? 
• Are you currently overwhelmed with your workload? 
• Are there any challenges that prevent you from performing at your best? 
• How can I support you better in your role? 

Encouraging feedback and establishing clear communication with your employees creates a model for company leadership to follow in improving employee morale and satisfaction. 

Foster organizational spirit through team-building.  

Team-building activities can boost morale and improve collaboration among employees.  

These activities can range from simple in-office games to taking advantage of what makes our hometown special. Whether it is organizing team hikes that showcase our mountain views, participating in local community events, or volunteering together at Flagstaff’s seasonal festivals. 

 You might also organize a team cooking competition using regional ingredients or a volunteer day at a local community organization. 

Ground your workplace in a positive culture with Performance Staffing 

As your neighbors and Flagstaff’s dedicated staffing partner, Performance Staffing understands the unique dynamics of our local workplace culture. Reach out to us today, and let us share our experience in building positive workplace environments that resonate with our mountain town values. After all, when it comes to Flagstaff’s business community, we are all in this together. 

References 

1. “The Financial Impact of Positive Workplace Culture (and How to Quantify It).” LinkedIn, www.linkedin.com/pulse/financial-impact-positive-workplace-culture-how-quantify-yarooms-oxdwf/. 
2. Employ. 2022 Job Seeker Nation Report: Dynamic Motivations of Modern Workers. 2022, www.jobvite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/JSN-2022-3-25.pdf. 
3. Flynn, Jack. “35 Key Employee Training and Development Statistics [2023]: Data + Trends.” Zippia for Employers, 9 Mar. 2023, www.zippia.com/employer/employee-training-development-statistics/.