Life is short. Work somewhere awesome.” I saw this quote recently, and it really resonated with me. Life is short, and we spend a significant amount of that time at work. If you work 40 hours a week and retire at age 65, you will have spent approximately 88,000 hours at work. That’s about one-fifth of your total nonsleeping lifespan! With that type of time investment, it’s easy to see the importance of working somewhere awesome. As a recently retired executive said after I posted this quote online, “Be like me and make sure you have splendid memories.”hands for BIC Recruiting

But what makes somewhere awesome to work? We tend to focus on the perks and benefits that make a job more flexible, convenient or fun, but industry experts who study workplaces say trust and engagement are keys in the foundation of a great workplace.

An “awesome place to work” is going to look a little different for each of us, but here are some common characteristics of a great workplace:

  • Trust: At a great workplace, employees trust their leaders to look out for them, leaders trust their employees to be advocates who will do what is best for the company and its customers, and co-workers treat each other as “family” and look out for one another.
  • Engagement: Employees are personally invested in the business. They see themselves as part of the “vision” — something bigger than just revenue and profits.
  • Transparency: Leaders are open and approachable. They seek feedback on issues, and they share successes and failures.
  • Intention: Great workplace cultures start with the vision of a leader. They continue with all employees’ intentional commitment to and focus on the corporate vision.
  • Communication: Communication is constant. Leaders seek feedback from employees, and employees seek feedback from each other. There is a sense of camaraderie and employees enjoy working with their colleagues.

So, what can you do to create an awesome place to work?

Create a great culture

Building and maintaining a great culture requires leaders who are committed and intentional. Generally, the initiative and leadership comes from the president or CEO, but the executive team, management and employees are all equally key to developing and driving the culture. Part of creating a great culture means taking a long-term view of the organization, which can sometimes conflict with short-term results. It also means encouraging frequent, authentic and transparent communication.

Focus on your vision, and make your goals about more than revenue or profits. When employees can connect what they are doing to a larger purpose, they are more motivated and committed to their work. They also build stronger relationships with their co-workers.

Additionally, have clear expectations for success. Be sure that each employee understands what it takes to be successful in his or her position. This will result in more engaged employees who are likely to be much better performers, leading to improved customer satisfaction and overall financial performance. Perhaps most importantly, engaged employees are less likely to leave for new opportunities, a key consideration for employers concerned about retention in this candidate-driven marketplace.

Hire or make a career move with care

Focus on hiring employees who embrace the company vision and are committed to helping everyone achieve it. Look for past examples of potential employees building trusting, transparent relationships at work and ask about how they helped contribute to the company vision. As an employee potentially making a career move, look for a company that values these characteristics, where leaders are transparent and accessible, and ask questions to find out more about the company’s culture and mission. As a leader, hire with care and continually assess the workplace. One toxic person can bring the whole team down. If you find yourself in a situation where one employee’s negativity is affecting the whole team, the best solution may be to help that person find a new position.

Building and maintaining a great workplace takes trust, engagement and intentionality but is so worth it. Remember, “Life is short. Work somewhere awesome.”