How to Build Long Lasting Company Culture

Do we have the idea of company culture all wrong? It almost feels like that sometimes. It’s easy enough to equate company culture with quirky job interview questions, break-room ping pong tables and massage chairs, and other rather ephemeral practices. While all these things can be nice and even important, they don’t make a culture, or at least not one that’s built to last. Meaningful culture is the result of intentional, strategic hard work from the leadership team, getting buy-in from employees and codifying all the values that the company stands for.

In other words, culture is something you build every day—but how can you build a culture that’ll prove lasting, not fleeting? Consider some of these tips.

Ensure Your Company is Around for the Long Haul

Talk about your culture. It’s not supposed to be a secret. What are your values? What is your mission? Make sure all your employees know the answer—and your new hires, too. Devote some time in the interview process to discussing your company culture.

Be slow to hire. Do your homework, and screen clients rigorously. Asking what their superpower would be or who they’d like to see on Mount Rushmore can be cute, but you ultimately need to hire for skills, qualifications, and fit. Screen clients in advance, and never rush to hire anyone just to fill a void.

Be fast to fire. No, this doesn’t mean fly off the handle or refuse to give people second chances. But if it’s obvious someone isn’t a good fit for your culture, don’t delay in severing ties. One strategy is to pay them to leave—maybe offering a two-week severance package, which is what Zappos does.

Celebrate victories. When your team members execute your company’s values, take time to acknowledge it. Is teamwork central to your company culture? Then be sure you celebrate instances of your employees banding together and collaborating well together.

Huddle. Bring the team together each morning for a quick, in-person meeting. Discuss goals and challenges for the day and for the week, and make sure you bring everything back around to the culture. This is a great way to reinforce your mission and values every single day.

In the end, culture is something you all have to build together—but it starts with the leadership team. Follow these steps to start building a culture that will last.