Imagine a place where you feel safe, supported, and valued. A place where you can bring your whole self to work and be who you really are. A place where you can learn and grow, and contribute to something bigger than yourself.

This is what it means to create a work home.

A work home is more than just a physical space. It’s a culture of belonging, trust, and respect. It’s a place where people feel valued for their unique contributions and where they are empowered to do their best work.

Deep Trust

Deep trust is essential for creating a work home. It’s the foundation on which everything else is built. When people trust each other, they feel safe to be vulnerable, to take risks, and to be their authentic selves – like who you are at your personal home.

There are many ways to build deep trust. One important way is to be transparent and honest with each other. This means sharing information, both good and bad, and being open to feedback. It also means being accountable for our actions and taking responsibility for our mistakes.

Another important way to build deep trust is to be supportive of each other. This means being there for each other through thick and thin, and cheering each other on to success. It also means being willing to lend a helping hand and to share our knowledge and expertise.

Sense of Belonging

A sense of belonging is another essential ingredient for creating a work home. When people feel like they belong, they feel connected to their colleagues and to the company mission. They feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves.

There are many ways to create a sense of belonging at work. One important way is to create opportunities for people to connect with each other on a personal level. This could include social events, team-building activities, or simply providing spaces for people to socialize and get to know each other better.

Another important way to create a sense of belonging is to celebrate successes and milestones together. This could include team lunches, company outings, or simply taking the time to recognize and appreciate each other’s contributions.

Example: Ceres Greenhouse Solutions

Ceres Greenhouse Solutions in Boulder CO is a great example of a company that is committed to creating a work home for its employees. The company has a strong culture of trust and respect, and it provides its employees with many opportunities to connect and celebrate successes together.

For example, Ceres Greenhouse Solutions hosts regular company-wide events, such as potluck lunches and holiday parties. The company also has many employee resource groups, which provide opportunities for employees with shared interests to connect and support each other.

In addition, Ceres Greenhouse Solutions is committed to employee development and growth. The company offers a variety of training and development programs, and it encourages its employees to pursue their career goals.

Quote from Chris Ulhig

I recently spoke with Chris Ulhig, CEO of Ceres, and he said something that stuck:

“When you are building a company for value, you make very different decisions than if you are building a company to sell.” – Chris Ulhig

When you are building a company for value, you are focused on creating something that will have a lasting impact on the world. You are focused on building a company that will make a difference in the lives of your customers, your employees, and your community.

When you are building a company to sell, you are focused on creating something that can be sold for the highest possible price. You are focused on short-term profits rather than long-term value. You put people in the ‘cost’ column instead of the ‘assets’ column.

When you are building a work home, you are building a company for value. You are building a company that will last. You are building a company that will make a difference in the world.

Chris from Ceres also said something else that truly sets them apart,

“Our goal has been to create a work home environment from the companies creation. As our size and talent pool has increased, we have made targeted decisions to support our team members in their individual passions.”

Chris shared with me Ceres Working Values and one was stated, “We support employees to take care of themselves (go on a bike ride, take a vacation), but we can only do this with the basic foundation that we trust each employee to respect the needs of the team and to show up to support and work hard for our shared goals.”

Due to their focus on their people, one of the many benefits Chris mentioned is they have essentially a waiting list of people who want to work for them.

Another dividend Ceres receives from its Work Home focus is that people WANT to spend time in the office. As they are moving to a local hybrid workforce, Chris said they don’t have to force people to come to the office and many choose to come every day. Who wouldn’t? It feels like home!

What’s next

Creating a work home is essential for attracting and retaining top talent and boosting employee engagement and productivity. When people feel safe, supported, and valued at work, they are more likely to do their best work.

There are many things that companies can do to create a work home, such as building deep trust, creating a sense of belonging, and investing authentically in your people. By taking these steps, companies can create a workplace where people thrive and where great things happen.

What do you think about creating a ‘Work Home’ for your people? Post your thoughts below.