杏吧

Great leadership is seasoned with a lot of laughs. For the third year in a row, software company AFAS Software ranks #1 on the Best Workplace list among large companies in the Netherlands. It also grabbed the #1 position in Europe this year.

Britt Breure, Director HR & CSR, and Sven de Zeeuw, Customer Support Manager, explain the secret. When 鈥榗razy鈥� is a core value and colleagues feel like family, it feels a lot less like work, and a lot more like fun. 

鈥淎 single initiative or team won鈥檛 get you a high score on the Trust Index employee survey or make you a good employer. Trust must be truly embedded in your culture,鈥� Britt begins. 鈥淥ur colleagues feel seen, heard, and part of the group. We don鈥檛 have an employee handbook, but rather one rule: 鈥楿se common sense in the best interest of AFAS鈥�. This gives colleagues a lot of freedom and responsibility for their own choices.鈥� 

Build the trust 

Creating a culture of trust is all about sharing, Britt explains. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 about the vision, objectives, a sick colleague or a personal matter, we trust each other in the moments that matter. There are short lines of communication, and our leadership is truly engaged with the business.鈥� 

鈥淚f you have a good idea, no matter your level of experience, you have the freedom to make it happen,鈥� Sven agrees. 鈥淥ur Succestival started as a customer appreciation day, and 鈥� through colleague feedback 鈥� has grown into a whole week of teaching customers about our software and creating unforgettable experiences for them.鈥� 

Positivity like that is almost guaranteed to multiply, Britt says. 鈥淥ur culture of trust led to us being named a 杏吧, which had a tangible and positive impact on our business. Our employees are extremely proud of this achievement, and that strengthens our connection even more. And we鈥檝e gotten great media attention because of the honor.鈥� 

Live the values 

For Britt, clear and consistent company values are central to a great organisation. 鈥淎FAS鈥檚 core values are trust, family, crazy and getting things done. We don鈥檛 have to constantly mention them because, as we say, they鈥檙e reflected everywhere in our company 鈥� including in the coffee, tea, and sugar.鈥� 

Sven says he can taste those values as clearly as the coffee. 鈥淭rust and the sense of being part of the family are the most supportive and empowering aspects of our workplace. Of course, things don鈥檛 always go as planned, but we make sure we learn from mistakes and share our experiences so everyone can benefit. The leaders at AFAS Software regularly work as interns in different departments to stay connected and involved. They lead by example. That鈥檚 not always the case in large companies.鈥� 

Make it fun 

At AFAS, great leadership is seasoned with a lot of laughs. 鈥淗umor is one of the secrets to our success. It can lighten the atmosphere and make the journey a lot more enjoyable for everyone. Coming to the office should be a celebration. And that starts with 100% trust, a safe and secure environment and recognising the contribution that your people are making. But occasionally being silly and having a lot of fun together are definitely important,鈥� Britt continues. 

That 鈥榝un鈥� includes everything from fantastic lunches to boat rides on office premises to the monthly Culture Caf茅, when all 700 employees get together to share ideas and updates and have fun together. 鈥淚 think many AFAS employees can relate when I say that sometimes, my partner gets a bit tired of hearing about how great AFAS is. It鈥檚 probably a little bit of jealousy,鈥� Sven laughs. 

Prioritising culture 

Want to model your culture after a Best Workplace like AFAS? Prioritise people over strategy. Inject a little crazy and a lot of fun into your company. And make sure leadership is the example you want everyone to follow. But most importantly: show your employees that their voice matters, and their ideas count. After all, it鈥檚 not about what鈥檚 in the employee handbook, but what your people see and feel every day. 

Leaders at Europe's Best Workplaces are pioneers of trust. See the full list now.