Harness the power of Honour to create a healthy workplace culture

Honour is a word that trumps many others in terms of its power. We typically use it to describe those who live their lives with integrity, who are true to their word, who are honest and respectful in their actions. The Oxford English Dictionary defines honour as “high social status” and “a person’s reputation, especially an unsullied reputation for honesty and integrity.” The moral authority that comes with honour is undeniable. And because honour is such a powerful word, it’s important to understand how it applies to the workplace.

Defining Honour in the Workplace

In his book 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' Stephen Covey says: "In order to be successful in the workplace, you must have honour. You must be honest and fair with your co-workers, and you must always put the needs of the company first. If you can't be trusted to behave honourably, you will not be successful in your career."

Honour is a virtue that can have a positive impact on the workplace in many ways however is often overlooked. Honour can be very beneficial in terms of employee productivity and team morale. Employees who feel honoured by their employer are more likely to take pride in their work and be motivated to do their best. Honourable employees tend to be more trustworthy and dependable, which can be invaluable in terms of meeting deadlines and upholding quality standards.

When everyone on a team feels honoured, there can be greater camaraderie and cooperation, which can lead to better teamwork and improved results. In short, honour is a virtue that can have a positive impact on the workplace in many ways.

Why is honour important for a healthy culture?

There’s a lot of talk around the importance of culture, but what does it actually mean and why is it so critical to the success of an organisation? Cultures are made up of values, habits, and behaviours. An organizations culture is like its DNA. It’s the foundation of what helps it to thrive. A healthy culture that is built on honour can be incredibly effective. It’s the kind of culture where employees feel safe to be themselves, are engaged in their work, and can perform at their highest level.

Creating a Culture of Honour

"People want to work for a company that has a culture of honour. They want to be proud of where they work and what they do. When people feel like their work has meaning and purpose, they are more engaged and productive." Simon Sinek, author of ‘Start with Why.’ Danny Silk, author of the book 'Culture of Honour' suggests that a culture of honour is "a community of people who have a shared values system that leads them to make decisions based on what is best for the community, rather than what is best for the individual."

If you want to create an honourable workplace culture, then you need to look at what you currently do and review it against the principles of honour. Is it open and honest, or does it tend to be more closed and potentially judgmental? Do you celebrate great performance? Take a critical step back and think about the systems and processes that govern your organisation and evaluate how they line up against an honourable workplace culture. You can also take a proactive approach and create new ways to promote these values. For example, you could work with your team to create an employee handbook that outlines core values, or even hold an employee summit focused on creating an honourable culture.

One of the most important things you can do to create a culture of honour is to ensure that everyone in your organisation feels respected and valued. This means creating an environment where everyone feels safe to speak up, share their ideas, and be themselves. It also means making sure that everyone is treated fairly and equally, regardless of their position or seniority. Everyone should feel like they have a voice that is heard and valued. Also, it's important to recognise and celebrate individual and team achievements. This helps to create a sense of pride and belonging and reinforces the importance of everyone working together towards common goals.

Key steps that can be taken to establish a culture of honour:

1. Create a safe environment

One of the key components of honour is trust and trust is a two-way street. So how can you promote honour in your workplace and encourage a culture of trust? Start by creating a safe environment where employees feel comfortable to be themselves and open up about their thoughts, feelings, and values. This will help to build a culture where the team is aligned and feels safe to share ideas and raise concerns. One way to do this is to create safe spaces and times to discuss the culture of your team, and how it can be enhanced.

2. Promote a sense of responsibility and ownership

One of the best ways to promote a culture of honour is to instil a sense of responsibility and ownership in everyone. This means encouraging people to take ownership of their work, and to hold themselves and each other accountable for their actions. It also means giving people the freedom to make decisions and take initiative within the bounds of their responsibilities. This helps to create a sense of autonomy and empowerment, which can be motivating and energising.

3. Foster a spirit of collaboration

A culture of honour is built on a foundation of teamwork and collaboration. This means working together towards common goals, sharing information and resources, and supporting each other through thick and thin. By fostering a spirit of collaboration, you create an environment where people feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves, and they are more likely to go above and beyond their formal roles.

4. Encourage open communication

One of the key ingredients of a culture of honour is open communication. This means communicating openly and honestly with one another, sharing information freely, and listening attentively to others. Open communication helps to build trust and understanding, which are essential for a healthy team or organisation. It also helps to prevent misunderstandings and conflicts.

5. Lead by example

The best way to establish any culture is by being an example of what you want to create. Leading a culture of honour requires behaving with integrity, honouring your commitments, being honest and treating everyone with respect. Leading by example sends a clear message that this is the type of behaviour that is expected from everyone in the organisation and will help to cultivate a culture of accountability and responsibility. Show that you respect people, value their opinions, and are open to constructive feedback. You can do this by regularly hosting culture events, investing in coaching, and having regular one-on-one meetings with team members.

6. Search for the good in Others

When we look for the good in others and celebrate their strengths (rather than focusing on faults and weaknesses) it improves our mood and the way we interact with them. This, in turn, makes the workplace more pleasant and productive. We're more likely to be cooperative and supportive when we feel good about ourselves and those around us.

Conclusion

Honour can be a powerful tool for leaders who want to create a culture that attracts and retains top talent. It can also be a great way to retain team members who are considering leaving, because people who feel valued are less likely to want to leave. Create a culture that promotes honour, and you’ll be on your way to building a healthier, happier team.