Company culture shapes how teams work, grow, and succeed together. In the most recent episode of Best Practices, host Steve Alexander sat down with Samantha Toth, founder and president of Innereactive, to explore what it takes to create an environment where people feel valued, motivated, and connected. Once that foundation is firmly established, culture will naturally develop from the behaviors built upon that solid footing.

Check Out the Episode Here

Understanding Company Culture

A strong culture is rooted in purpose and belonging. When employees feel tied to the mission and share in the values of the organization, they take ownership of their roles and push the team forward. According to Samantha, authentic culture is cultivated through a sustained effort to build a workplace where individuals find purpose in their roles and pride in their collective identity.

The Four Pillars of Company Culture

Drawing from Gallup’s research, Samantha outlines four pillars that form the foundation of a thriving workplace: connection, appreciation, performance, and growth. Connection builds belonging, wellbeing, and trust among team members. Appreciation ensures people feel seen and valued through recognition and constructive feedback. Performance provides clarity, setting expectations and aligning individual goals with the broader mission. Growth encourages professional development and celebrates individuality, helping each person feel supported in reaching their potential. Woven together, these pillars drive engagement and create the kind of environment where teams excel.

1. Connection

Building a strong sense of belonging among employees is essential. Employees should feel like they are part of a team rather than just colleagues.

2. Appreciation

Acknowledging and celebrating achievements, big and small, increases morale and motivation. Samantha emphasizes the importance of employees feeling seen and heard.

3. Performance

Clearly defined roles and expectations ensure everyone understands their contribution to the company’s success.

4. Growth

Offering opportunities for personal and professional development is vital. Employees should be encouraged to bring their whole selves to work.

Action Steps to Enhancing Company Culture

1. Conduct Culture Surveys

To address a culture problem, start by assessing the current state of your company culture. An anonymous survey conducted by a third party can provide honest, actionable feedback. This transparency establishes trust and opens the door for improvement.

2. Implement Effective Meetings

Use structured meetings to foster communication. Regular team meetings and one-on-one check-ins ensure alignment and address issues before they escalate. Involving employees in leading meetings can enhance engagement and accountability.

3. Align Hiring with Company Values

When hiring, ensure candidates align with your company’s mission and values. A thorough interview process focusing on both skills and cultural fit can prevent costly hiring mistakes.

4. Address Challenges Proactively

If an employee’s performance starts declining, tackle the issue head-on with regular feedback and support. Consistent one-on-one meetings can often detect and rectify potential issues early.

Integrating Meetings that Matter

Culture lives in the day-to-day, and communication is where it takes shape. Samantha emphasizes the importance of structured team meetings that go beyond task updates. The best meetings highlight priorities, encourage collaborative problem-solving, celebrate cultural wins, and provide opportunities to learn. Don’t lose sight of the importance of rotating meeting owners to keep the conversations fresh and empower everyone to take ownership of the team’s direction as well as being able to understand how hard it is to run a meeting. Equally important are one-on-one conversations. These meetings create space for discussing personal wellbeing, career development, and obstacles to performance. Addressing challenges early prevents them from growing into bigger issues and reinforces trust between leaders and their teams.

Avoiding Cultural Pitfalls

Hiring and performance management can either strengthen or weaken culture. Bringing in people who align with the organization’s mission helps prevent missteps down the road. On the other hand, when performance issues arise, waiting too long to address them risks damaging the entire team dynamic. A structured, proactive approach ensures problems are resolved quickly and fairly, keeping culture intact and expectations clear.

The Path Forward

The conversation explored how principles of company culture mirror those of personal relationships. Connection, appreciation, and shared growth are components of healthy, meaningful interpersonal relationships anywhere, at work or among family or in the broader community as well. By fostering these elements, people within a company build a culture that extends to every interaction at work and far beyond company walls.

Developing a robust company culture is an ongoing journey, not a one-time task. It requires intentional effort and sustained commitment from every level of the organization. As Samantha advises, never underestimate the power of vulnerability and transparency in this process. Or as Steve likes to point out: author Brandon Sanderson suggests, the most important step isn’t the first one, it’s the next one, always the next one.

For those looking to deepen their understanding of company culture and employee engagement, reaching out to experts like Samantha Toth and exploring resources from Inner Reactive can provide valuable guidance. A thriving company culture not only enhances employee satisfaction but also drives business success. Take the first step today towards creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and motivated to contribute their best.

Sustaining culture demands more than vision; it requires the perseverance to advance with purpose, time and again. By grounding culture in each of the four pillars and by fostering consistent communication and accountability, practices transform challenges into opportunities through resilience and success. As Samantha reminds us, culture isn’t built overnight. It is shaped through purpose, clarity, and commitment one next step at a time.