How trust and learning underpin a thriving company culture
In a previous blog on this topic, we looked at how cultural values like collaboration, trust, creativity and ‘down-to-earth-ness’ combine to make DOCOsoft a truly unique place to work. Our culture is more than just words. It’s a personal mission for each and every one of us. Now, as we navigate a particularly exciting phase of rapid expansion and growth, it’s more important than ever to reflect on some of the foundational elements that sustain that culture: trust and continuous learning.
Trust: the backbone of culture
Trust can seem a little elusive and hard to define. But one thing that’s crystal clear is how different things look when trust has been lost or broken. Sometimes trust is shattered suddenly. Sometimes it withers slowly, gets lost along the way, without anyone really noticing.
That’s why, for those of us working in People and Culture, it’s so important to pay attention to trust, to cherish and nurture it. Because trust connects and sustains every other aspect of company culture. At DOCOsoft, we’ve seen firsthand how trust can empower people to express themselves, think outside the box, and contribute their unique skills and experience to our collective success.
Trust isn’t just about words. It’s about actions. As with many other aspects of culture, leadership has a crucial role to play in generating and maintaining trust. Leadership is about much more than making decisions and handing down instructions. Business owners and senior employees should set an example for others to emulate. One of the most powerful ways leaders can do this is by taking personal accountability for their actions, behaviours and decisions.
When leaders hold themselves accountable, they provide a positive role model of integrity and authenticity, earning the respect and trust of other team members. This helps sustain a culture where individuals take ownership of their work and their actions, on the understanding that accountability is valued and rewarded.
Leaders who model accountability can also help to foster a culture of transparency and honesty, where mistakes are seen as opportunities for learning and growth, not blame or punishment. This encourages innovation and boundary-pushing.
But when leaders refuse or deflect accountability, it signals that responsibility is a one-way street. Most of us have come across this kind of thing at some point in our careers. If that applies to you, you’ll know it’s not a pleasant experience, even if you’re not personally on the receiving end. Unaccountable leaders breed resentment, erode trust and create a toxic work environment in which blame-shifting and scapegoating become the norm.
Leaders who hold themselves accountable and take personal responsibility set a standard for their team and inspire others to raise their game. They create a culture that fuels collaboration, resilience, and shared success. In a culture of openness and creativity, ideas flow freely and challenges are quickly overcome – because no-one assumes they’re ‘somebody else’s problem’.
Without wishing to sound complacent, we’ve been lucky, here at DOCOsoft, in that many of our senior team have been around since DOCOsoft was a much smaller business and have never lost the hands-on, collegiate approach that instilled, never pulled rank or rested on their laurels. Leaders who’ve joined as we’ve grown have followed their example.
Anyone can talk to anyone here at DOCOsoft, without fear of being knocked back or ‘put in their place’. But, as a fast-growing business, we’re acutely aware of the need to remain vigilant. Wherever our journey takes us, it’s vital we keep hold of the culture of accountability and trust that’s made us what we are.
Learning: fuelling our growth
As DOCOsoft embraces the opportunities and challenges that come with growth, we’re more committed than ever to continuous learning. In a rapidly evolving world, any successful business must be able to adapt, innovate, and learn fast. We believe learning is a skill in itself. We deliberately look for people with a passion for learning as part of our recruitment process. Our shared appetite for learning helps DOCOsoft chart a course through uncharted waters, for ourselves and for our clients. Learning is much more than checkbox on our to-do lists. It’s a mindset that permeates our organisation.
From formal training programmes to informal mentorship, we focus on empowering our people to expand their knowledge, skills and perspectives. We understand that true growth only happens when we step outside our comfort zones, challenge our assumptions and embrace new ideas. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, we ensure that every member of our team has the tools and resources they need to thrive in a constantly changing landscape.
As we continue to grow and evolve as a business, it’s essential we stay true to the principles that have brought us this far. By prioritising trust and continuous learning, we can ensure that our culture remains vibrant, resilient, and true to the values that define us as a company.
