I was talking to a buddy of mine the other day who was telling me about his frustration with the startup culture where he works. He was initially attracted to the lead developer role for the work but also for an unspoken challenge — the obviously struggling culture. Although my friend hasn't managed to infiltrate his enthusiasm for the culture through the entire company, he has raised morale on his own team and there's been absolutely no turnover within his team since his arrival. Here are some tips for taking initiative in your lackluster startup culture:
Be accountable.
Don't lose hope if you find yourself part of a startup culture that leaves much to be desired. An overwhelming majority of people claim that culture played a role in their decision to join their company. If things aren't what they seemed, it's still partially your responsibility to shape the direction of the culture. Giving up or reacting negatively to others' efforts to strengthen the culture tells your team you don't think they're worth the effort.
Make a contribution.
If your startup's mission was partly the reason you decided to join the team in the first place, is it still an active part of your decision making? Know how to best serve your startup by understanding the purpose of the company and how your role adds value to the mission.
Lead by example.
If others see you making a genuine attempt at participating in the culture they will likely want to make their own contribution as well. Effective startup cultures experience lower turnover, offer better customer service, and maximize their problem-solving skills during crises.