Building Blocks of a High-Performance Organization

A significant amount of research has identified the workplace characteristics of high-performance organizations. This research demonstrates that these workplace cultures share six fundamental characteristics or Building Blocks:

  1. Trust, Respect & Fairness
    In high-performance workplaces, employees are respected, both as employees and as human beings; there is a fundamental sense of trust between management and staff; and workers are treated fairly and consistently.
  2. Open Communications
    There is open and honest communication within the organization, from management to employees, from employees to management, and across different work units of the organization.
  3. Rewards & Recognition
    Employees are sufficiently rewarded and recognized, in monetary and non-monetary ways, for their contributions and accomplishments.
  4. Learning & Development
    There are opportunities for employees to develop new skills, and to advance in the organization as their performance and desire dictates.
  5. Teamwork & Involvement
    There is a sense of teamwork and collaboration within the organization, with employees feeling that they have the opportunity to contribute directly to the organization’s success, and to the larger community.
  6. Work/Life Balance
    The organization’s policies, practices and culture affirmatively help employees balance the competing demands of work and family.