Why Promotions “Make Or Break” Company Culture

It is no secret that culture is a key ingredient to a company’s success. And, now that millennials comprise the largest demographic in the workforce, it represents a highly sought after benefit in the workforce. Millennial employees are also seeking higher wages, medical plans, and flexible working arrangements. Yet, they are often drawn to companies they feel a strong affinity toward. As a result, employers that treat staff fairly, and create a positive working environment, are seen as the most appealing.

Creating Company Culture

With that being said, creating this compelling workplace dynamic isn’t an easy task. For one thing, company culture is comprised of many variables. At its core, it involves the relationships between coworkers, as well as those with superiors. In addition, these relationships are built around a company’s core values. Defining these values is extremely important, but so is ensuring that everyone follows them, regardless of rank or seniority.

Team-building exercises are a great way to instill values and create trust among staff; however, they aren’t the most powerful way that employers can enforce culture. Arguably, the most effective way to improve workplace morale is through promotion.

Workplace Morale and Promotion

Interestingly, employees don’t need to be promoted to appreciate their employer’s process. When they see that their colleagues advance on a fair and honest basis, it creates trust with superiors. They gain respect for their leaders, which inspires them to follow their judgement.

For example, leaders that set out specific company values, but don’t always adhere to them, appear to lack integrity. Similarly, leaders that promote people based on these values are seen more favourably. As such, employees work harder, and they tend to be much more content. As a result, these employers are able to reduce employee turnover, and enjoy greater success.

Promoting With Assessments

Promotion is a powerful way to improve company culture, but it may also have an adverse effect on employee morale. For instance, some leaders promote individuals that are particularly adept at “self-promotion.” In other words, they promote employees that ensure people know what they have accomplished. Unfortunately, some employees are also clever at manipulating their leaders. These individuals are able to persuade their managers to promote them, regardless of suitability, which creates hostility amongst co-workers.

Ultimately, companies must ensure that they have an effective strategy for managing promotions. Using an assessment allows employers to create a detailed description of what an ideal candidate looks like for a specific role outside of task completion. From here, individuals are tested against this standard of excellence, and the results provide a completely unbiased assessment of a prospect’s suitability. Not only will this method prevent bitterness amongst staff, but it ensures that the ideal candidate is chosen.