How to Build a Better Company Culture (That Actually Works)

Reported by: Nurul Addina Azime

Let’s get real, culture isn’t just about company swag, fancy mission statements, or the occasional team lunch. It’s about how things really get done in your organization. The vibe, the energy, and the way people show up every day.

​​According to Gallup, company culture has the power to boost performance, skyrocket employee engagement, and keep customers coming back for more. The catch? It has to be intentional.

What Even Is Company Culture?
In simple terms: It’s how your company operates when no one’s watching.

It’s the shared behaviors, beliefs, and unspoken rules that guide how people work, communicate, and solve problems. If it feels like your team is all pulling in different directions, or worse, just clocking in and out—your culture might need a refresh and some intentional attention.

Why Culture Matters More Than Ever
Let’s break it down:

• It attracts talent. People want to work somewhere they feel like they belong.
• It keeps people engaged. A great culture gives employees purpose beyond just a paycheck.
• ​It drives results. When everyone’s on the same page, you move faster and smarter.

Culture Starts at the Top
Leaders aren’t just part of the culture; they set it.

How your leaders communicate, make decisions, and show up (even under pressure) sends a message to the whole team. If there’s a disconnect between what leaders say and what they do, trust erodes fast.

Want better culture? Start by getting leadership aligned, and walking the talk.

Align Culture with Brand and Purpose
Your brand promise and your company’s “why” should be lived out inside the organization, not just in marketing campaigns. When your team gets the mission and believes in it, it shows in how they treat customers, and each other.

The 5 Culture Builders (According to Gallup)
Here’s what really moves the needle:

How to Level Up Your Culture
You don’t need a full-on rebrand to make real cultural change. Try this:

1. Get clear on what kind of culture you want.
2. Take a pulse check—what’s the culture really like now?
3. Make a plan to close the gap, step by step.
4. Involve your leaders early and often.
5. ​Keep checking in—culture isn’t set-it-and-forget-it.

Final Thoughts
Culture is your company’s superpower, if you build it right. Done well, it energizes your people, aligns your teams, and drives results you can feel.

So go ahead and start the conversations, make the tweaks, and shape a workplace where people actually want to show up and give their best.

Want to dive deeper? Gallup’s article is a great read on building culture that actually works.

In addition, at 57network, we don’t just talk about culture--we live it.

Our core values of collaboration, innovation, and impact aren’t just words on a wall. You can see them in the way our teams communicate openly, support each other, and constantly push for better solutions. Whether it's cross-functional teamwork, fast-moving projects, or the way we celebrate wins big and small, our culture is what fuels our momentum.

Just like Gallup emphasizes, we believe that great culture doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built through clear leadership, shared purpose, and daily habits that reflect who we are and who we’re striving to become. 
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As we continue to grow, we’re committed to keeping our culture strong, dynamic, and aligned with our mission to create meaningful change. Because at the end of the day, culture isn’t just how we work, it’s why we work the way we do.