Building a High-Performing Culture

Building a High-Performing Culture

By Nicole Piazza, HR Leader with Over 20 Years of Corporate HR Experience, and Dr. Nicol Nicola, New Jersey Department of Labor, Adjunct Professor and Leadership Facilitator

What helps create a high-performing culture? Is it leadership that encourages new ideas, clear communication and shared purpose, or giving people what they need to succeed? The answer is—it’s all of these working together.

To build a successful, high-performing culture, organizations should focus on three key strategies:

• Leadership That Encourages New Ideas
  • Good leaders develop out-of-the-box ideas. For example, Dr. Nicol Nicola’s team was the first in the country to use in-house employer data to track Fortune 500 companies by wages and employment. The project was designed to better understand the economic footprint of these companies in New Jersey. This example illustrates how strong leadership—paired with a talented team—can drive meaningful and innovative work.
• Clear Communication and Shared Purpose
  • When you or your team develop a new idea, it's key to communicate why it matters. Help others see how it supports the organization’s goals and creates value for key stakeholders. Ensure the idea aligns with the broader vision and leadership’s strategic priorities. Think of it like launching a product—build excitement by showing how the idea can make a meaningful difference for both employees and customers.
• Giving People What They Need to Succeed
  • Even the best ideas won’t work without the right support. Make sure your team has the tools, resources, and training they need to do the job well. When people feel prepared and supported, they’re more likely to do great work and reach their goals.

Bottom Line

By focusing on these three areas—leadership, communication, and support—organizations can create a culture where people are motivated, new ideas are welcomed, and robust results follow.