People Management & HR

A positive company culture starts from the top down

  • 3 min Read
  • April 11, 2022

Author

Escalon

Table of Contents

Company culture is a responsibility shared by everyone in an organization. However, it can’t happen in the absence of strong leadership. At its core, workplace culture is how people inside the business interact with each other, which is learned behavior rather than a by-product of operations or an overlay. 


And it all starts at the top. Culture comprises everything an organization’s leaders do, from whom they hire to whom they listen to, from what they discuss in meetings to what they prioritize and even how they invest the firm’s money. These behaviors reflect the firm’s values and habits, and in turn inform how people within the organization interact with each other and work together.


Decoding the role of a leader



Here’s a comprehensive look at the three key roles leaders play in workplace culture: 


1. They manifest the company’s values and goals




Great leaders exude a sense of positivity and fairness. They provide an example worth emulating and a meaningful environment. In so doing, leaders turn their personal values and beliefs into companywide ones, informing its goals and brand personality. 


What happens if there is a change in leadership? Perhaps the leader who championed positive culture moves up, and their replacement has different ideas. It depends on how successfully the firm’s leaders have already communicated their shared values and goals. If they are deeply ingrained among the team, as well as sufficiently prosocial, the positive work culture may withstand the change.


2. They set benchmarks and foster engagement




There’s no shortage of research confirming that engaged employees are more productive and contribute more to the bottom line. It is the job of a business’s leaders to cultivate engaged employees who work to better themselves and the company. Leaders should clearly communicate the answers to questions like: 



• What does it take to excel in the organization? 


• What steps are required for employees to move up the company ladder?


• How does leadership provide feedback to employees? Is this done only at annual reviews? 


• What upskilling or educational opportunities are available for employees?



In addition, leaders set expectations for how employees engage and interact with one another. This goes back to the idea of the workplace environment: Are ideas exchanged freely, including with the C-suite? Do employees feel empowered to exchange actionable feedback among themselves? Does leadership reward learning from failure as reliably as it rewards success?


Probing the answers to these questions helps leaders shape a positive culture.


3. They set the tone for life beyond the workplace




The phrase “tone at the top” describes how leadership culture cascades down throughout the organization. More specifically, it means leaders determine to what extent an organization and its employees value things like transparency, integrity, open communication, optimism, respect, walking the walk and much more.


Today’s workplaces are not just a collection of strangers, nor are they detached from the rest of society. This puts business leaders in the position of molding not just employees, but also citizens and neighbors.

Talk to our team today to learn how Escalon can help take your company to the next level.

  • Expertise you can trust

    Our team is made up of seasoned professionals who bring years of industry experience to the table. You gain a trusted advisor who understands your business inside out.

  • Quality and consistency

    Say goodbye to the hassles of hiring, training and managing in-house finance teams. You will never have to worry about unexpected leave of absence or retraining new employees.

  • Scalability and Flexibility

    Whether you’re a small business or a global powerhouse, our solutions scale with your needs. We eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costs and help you focus on growing your business.

Contact Us Today!

Tap into the latest insights from experts in your industry

Taxes

How to Maximize Your Tax Deductions: Essential Tips for Startups in Q2

Tax season often triggers stress and complexity—especially for startups laser-focused on building products, acquiring customers, and scaling operations. Yet savvy...

Read More
Startups

Mid-Year Financial Checkup: How to Assess and Adjust Your Startup’s Budget 

The halfway mark of any given year is more than just a date on the calendar; it’s a valuable checkpoint...

Read More
Consumer Goods

Inventory Accounting 101: Navigating Costing Methods and Their Impact on Financial Health 

For consumer goods companies, managing inventory efficiently is critical—not just for operations but also for financial health and risk management....

Read More
Technology & Security

Compliance Considerations for SaaS: Protecting Data and Staying Secure

As more businesses transition to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions, data security and regulatory compliance have become top priorities. From handling sensitive...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

How Outsourced Accounting Supports Scalability in Portfolio Companies 

For portfolio companies, whether backed by private equity, venture capital, or family offices, scalability is essential for maximizing value and...

Read More
Consumer Goods

Insights from a Consumer Goods Expert: Building Brands, Inventory Management, and the Power of Outsourcing

Insights from a Consumer Goods Expert: Building Brands, Inventory Management, and the Power of Outsourcing  In a recent conversation with...

Read More
Private Equity

The Key to Private Equity Success: Strong Financial Oversight and Compliance

Private equity deals are becoming larger and more complex, making financial preparation a critical part of the process. Take Novartis’s...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

Navigating Grant Management and Financial Reporting for Biotech Startups 

Biotech startups operate in a unique financial landscape, where securing grants, venture capital, and government funding is crucial for driving...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

Financial Compliance in the Decentralized Era: What Web3 Startups Need to Know 

As the world leans into the decentralized era, Web3 startups are at the forefront, exploring the possibilities of blockchain, cryptocurrencies,...

Read More