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Every company has a distinct identity. No, we are not talking about the brand name or logo; we’re talking about their corporate culture.
Some companies are more formal and people dress up every day like they are at a board meeting. And others are more casual with people dressed in jeans.
In some companies, work hours are inflexible, and being even five minutes late can have consequences. But other workplaces are more flexible and people can walk in at noon without anybody raising an eyebrow.
Have you ever tried figuring out why that happens?
The answer lies in the types of work culture that different companies have. A company’s workplace culture is the environment it creates for its employees. It is a combination of an organization’s values, attitudes, beliefs, and traditions that shapes the way employees function and interact with each other.
Types Of Work Culture
Company culture is the work environment in an organization. In today’s competitive business landscape, a company’s culture is one of the biggest draws for talent. Everyone wants to work for Google, Facebook, and Twitter not so much for their salaries as their employee-oriented work culture.
No two company cultures are identical. There are eight types of company cultures that we need to understand and find out the type of corporate culture in your organization:
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Learning
Companies that have a learning-based culture encourage employee independence and are not rigid in their processes. The focus is on the professional development of employees through innovation and curiosity.
Companies that promote a culture of learning are usually great breeding grounds for intrapreneurs. People with innovative and flexible mindsets thrive in such organizations.
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Fun
Companies that cultivate a culture of fun are also quite flexible and supportive of employee independence. The work environment in such companies fosters spontaneity and happiness. Such companies are ideal workplaces for employees who value their happiness the most.
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Results
Companies with a result-oriented work culture usually provide great autonomy to employees. They are dynamic in their process selection as long as the outcome is desirable. Such companies encourage and expect their employees to deliver exceedingly good results. They are a great fit for people who prefer defined KRAs and goals and are self-motivated to achieve them.
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Authority
Authority is one of the most employee-centric types of corporate cultures. Such company cultures value independence and stability. They are highly competitive and focused on the strengths and accomplishments of individual employees. They are ideal for employees who find happiness in meeting their personal goals.
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Purpose
Purpose-based organizations are built on values and social endeavors. These companies are led by people who encourage their employees to actively participate in charitable tasks and focus on running community welfare programs. If you are compassionate and feel that improving the communities is your responsibility then such companies are ideal for you.
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Caring
This is one of the most popular types of work cultures that are highly interconnected and flexibility is given great value. Companies with a caring work culture rate sincerity and work-relationships highly and this creates a family-like bond. (Klonopin) Employees’ needs are given precedence and it is common for such companies to offer professional and personal development programs to their employees. In such company culture types, collaboration and engagement is usually high. Employees who prefer to work in a supportive workplace will find such organizations the best fit.
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Hierarchy
Hierarchy is among the most conventional types of work culture. Organizations with such company culture types have a structured top-down operational system. These companies focus on stability and work with a clear line of command and a fixed set of rules. They are characterized by employees who prefer working by the rulebook.
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Safety
This is another example of conventional types of corporate cultures. In organizations that have a safety-first approach, the focus is on minimizing risk in any endeavor. These companies work on calculated and proven processes. Whenever a new idea or innovation comes up, due diligence is exercised, and only when the new process is found to be risk-free does it get approved. Employees who are averse to risk prefer working in such companies.
Conclusion
Each company culture has its distinct features, advantages, and drawbacks. No two company culture types are the same and even if two companies are defined by similar types of work culture, some finer points will be different.
None of these work cultures is right or wrong. But it is important to understand these eight types of company culture so that you can choose a work environment that is the best fit for you. Harappa Education’s Navigating Workplaces is an online course that helps you understand the differences between various company culture types. It has a section on culture fit that can help you evaluate alignment with organizations. So sign up for this course and get ready to work with an organization that aligns with your values and beliefs.
Explore topics such as Managing Conflict, the Types of Conflict, the Thomas Kilmann Model, Functional and Dysfunctional Conflict & How to Manage Office Politics from our Harappa Diaries section in order to build trust-rich relationships at work.
