It is crucial to consider the work culture of a company where you will be spending most of your time. I wanted to share my preference and what I think is best for early-career professionals seeking jobs. Here’s a list of essential elements for a positive work culture and actions you might need to consider as a leader:

Communication. A company with positive work culture should always have their channels open for feedbacks and suggestions (may that be a feedback to a specific part of existing process that you find not necessary). Comments must be clear and explained. If it is constructive criticism, actionable suggestions should be presented at the end. Without any, your comment might be regarded as nothing, or worst, an insult. Let the leader know what you think would help the company to easily come up with an idea.

Some managers might think that these kind of discussions are just a waste of time. Some would take this opportunity to let the rest of the team know why their suggestions are not feasible.

Approachable leader. Join a team with a leader not a boss. You'll find it hard to work with leaders who are not easy to talk with. Sharing your ideas will be challenging on top of the work you are tasked to do so. Little by little you'll be forced to think like you're always the wrong one and the boss' ideas are the right one, until, you do things that your boss only says. A leader who is invested in their member's growth should willingly brainstorm with their members and go over each of the suggestions if there's something that can be executed.

A strategy to effective learning is "sink or swim" or some even call it "trial by fire". This should not be applied everytime! This should depend on the situation and must be implemented with sensitiveness. One leader should not be using this approach for learnings that are too basic since this will lower one's self esteem and can be regarded as an insult. Instead provide the solution right away and allow time for coaching.

Positive environment. Working in a positive environment where leaders can effectively motivate their team. Tensions among team members must be resolved as soon as possible. As a leader, have them try resolving it first, if it needs intervention, leaders must go up to the ring and mediate.

Work-life balance. The organization must set policies encouraging colleagues to a work-life balance. This will give members time to set their attention to their respective families. They can use this to resolve any conflict that could be personally affecting the member's performace.

Recognition and appreciation. A leader who regularly recognize and appreciate your hard work and accomplishments is a positive reinforcement to do more and even better. This boosts your confidence and would make you think that you are on the right path. Always allow feedback and criticism, it will not always be a recognition and appreciation. Constructive criticism will tell that you are not perfect and will remind humility. Be glad if you are learning from your mistakes and your leader is pointing out specifically these mistakes are and gives advise. It is a total different story if they don't give any advise and just keep on throwing you negative comments.

Respect. I believe this is the most important element to a good work environment. This not only applies to leaders but colleagues as well. Respect each other's time, effort and space.

Be sensitive on other's time, especially for collaborating with colleagues with different timezones. One shouldn't be demanding a reply that's outside the respective working hour unless it is totally urgent.

These elements are by far what I think will summarize my preferred work culture.