I’m traveling home from a work trip, and something my coworkers and I often discuss is the variety of work cultures within our company. While we all work for the same organization, I’ve noticed that the culture can differ a lot from team to team. Some teams feel collaborative, with members forming real friendships, while others lean more competitive. Fortunately, I enjoy the culture on my team, and I’ve built friendships that will last beyond our work together.
In this newsletter, I want to share the values I appreciate in a work environment. If you’re searching for a new role, these might be things to consider.
The Role of a Good Manager
One of the most important factors in creating a strong team culture is good leadership. In my experience, the foundation for our team’s healthy environment was laid by upper management, who maintained that culture as the team grew. On our team, collaboration is strongly encouraged. While we are still evaluated individually for performance, it doesn’t stop us from helping each other succeed.
I’ve heard that on some other teams, people avoid collaborating because they want to stand out during performance reviews. In my opinion, this type of behavior should be discouraged, and those who work well with others should be rewarded. If managers made this a clear priority, it could reduce unnecessary competition—though it’s probably a lot easier said than done.
Leading by Example
Another reason my team’s culture is so strong is that our more senior members lead by example. When I first joined, they were always available to answer my questions. During work trips, they made sure I stayed in a convenient hotel, invited me to dinners, and even gave me tours of the area. I believe this supportive environment is a big reason why so many people on my team have stayed long-term, unlike other teams with higher turnover.
Hiring for Culture Fit
While I’m not exactly sure how our managers built such a successful team, I believe hiring for cultural fit plays a huge role. This might sound obvious, but it can be tough to identify the right fit through just a couple of interviews. Fortunately, our managers are great at recognizing who will mesh well with the team.
Now that I’ve started conducting interviews myself, I try to focus on this aspect when giving feedback. Many candidates have great technical skills, but the best ones are those who will collaborate well with the rest of the team. This is a skill I hope to improve over time.
Advice for Job Seekers
For anyone considering a new job, my advice is to really get to know the team you’ll be joining. Start by learning about the manager’s leadership style—how they guide the team and what kind of environment they promote. Then, talk to individual team members to get their perspective on the team dynamic and leadership.
The best team for you will depend on what you value, so it’s worth doing some research to make sure it’s a good fit. I’m still figuring out what kind of team environment I prefer, and as my career progresses, my ideal team might evolve too.
I’d love to hear what you look for when joining a team! Feel free to reach out on social media or by email ([email protected]).