Skip navigation

How to build a thriving company culture

Creating a thriving company culture requires more than a surface-level understanding of workplace wellbeing or employee benefits.

A young woman smiles while working from her home office on her laptop.A young woman smiles while working from her home office on her laptop.

Table of contents

Insights from Ellen Raim, Founder of People MatterWe focus more on solving than preventing People problems.

Creating a thriving company culture requires more than a surface-level understanding of workplace wellbeing or employee benefits. According to Dr. Martin Seligman, these six core needs are the foundation for any human to flourish:

  1. Positive emotion
  2. Engagement
  3. Relationships
  4. Meaning
  5. Accomplishment
  6. Health

For People leaders striving to impact employee development, understanding these pillars is crucial for identifying gaps in your current culture building strategy.

1. Cultivate positive emotions in the workplace.

Employee satisfaction and productivity often hinge on positive emotions.

You can encourage daily moments of joy through shared music, funny videos, virtual coffee breaks and other enjoyable breaks. Live team-building experiences can also strengthen relationships and add some fun to the day. Creating an atmosphere of happiness boosts resilience and fosters a more fulfilling work experience.

2. Leverage team strengths for engagement.

Engagement comes from recognizing and utilizing unique skill sets within your team.

Equip your managers with the emotional intelligence needed to identify strengths, delegate tasks effectively, increase productivity and invest in professional development. Well-trained managers enhance individual growth while propelling teams toward success.

3. Build a connected workforce.

A sense of belonging and connection is vital for employee motivation. 

Train your leaders and managers in effective one-on-one meetings, strategies for boosting workplace belonging, navigating difficult conversations and fostering unity during challenging times. A connected team is a motivated team.

4. Connect employees to a greater purpose.

Employees are looking for more than just a paycheck from their jobs.

Communicate your company's mission, popularize values and introduce cascading goals. When employees understand the “why” behind their work, it helps ensure your team feels connected to the broader company culture, fostering a sense of purpose in their work.

5. Recognize and celebrate successes.

Acknowledging achievements is critical to employee job satisfaction. 

Equip managers to set practical goals, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, provide constructive feedback and consistently recognize employee contributions. A workforce that feels valued is a thriving one.

6. Prioritize wellbeing for peak performance.

Holistic wellbeing cannot be ignored when creating a thriving company culture.

Remind remote teams to prioritize self-care through stretch breaks, walks, healthy meals, well-deserved vacations or anything else that helps them feel nourished. Encouraging a health-first mindset from ensures a balanced work/life dynamic — and increases productivity.

Bonus: Create a culture of learning.

Prioritizing personal development is a great way to build a thriving company culture.

Investing in training develops individual leadership skills and fosters a culture of learning within your company. When employees see that their company is committed to their own growth and development, it has an impact. This learning culture becomes ingrained in your organization's DNA, leading to increased employee engagement, collaboration and a stronger sense of purpose. A culture of learning attracts top talent and retains your valuable employees, ultimately contributing to the overall success and sustainability of your company.

Bottom of Page CTA:
Learn live. Adapt faster.

Latest resources

Learn more about creating a culture of learning throughout our resources below.

2026 workplace holiday calendar + celebration listings
Electives team
 
Dec 18, 2025

2026 workplace holiday calendar + celebration listings

Celebrate diversity and foster awareness through our comprehensive 2026 workplace holiday resources for HR + people leaders.
Culture + collaboration
Why scenario-based learning beats theory every time (especially when it’s live)
Electives team
 
Dec 17, 2025

Why scenario-based learning beats theory every time (especially when it’s live)

Scenario-based learning builds skills that transfer to real work. Learn why the format matters.
Learning best practices
When high performers need a new challenge (not a new job)
Electives team
 
Dec 16, 2025

When high performers need a new challenge (not a new job)

Keep high performers engaged without promoting them into management. Practical strategies for creating growth paths, stretch assignments and new challenges that drive retention.
Innovation + productivity
National Clean Off Your Desk Day: 5 benefits of celebrating
Electives team
 
Dec 15, 2025

National Clean Off Your Desk Day: 5 benefits of celebrating

January 13 is National Clean Off Your Desk Day, and a great opportunity for employees to start fresh with an organized workspace and calm mindset.
Culture + collaboration
Celebrating MLK Day by creating equity in the workplace
Electives team
 
Dec 12, 2025

Celebrating MLK Day by creating equity in the workplace

MLK Day is a great time to reflect on the work Reverend King did to promote racial equality – and consider what more needs to be done to create equity for all.
Culture + collaboration
How to rebuild momentum after major change
Electives team
 
Dec 10, 2025

How to rebuild momentum after major change

Rebuild team momentum after layoffs, restructuring or leadership changes. Practical strategies to restore energy, trust and productivity during year-end transitions.
Culture + collaboration

View all posts

ENJOYABLE. EASY. EFFECTIVE.

Learning that works.

With live learning + AI simulations, Electives is a learning platform that makes it easy to design, execute and measure effectiveness.

Request a demo

Request a demo

Learn more

Learn more