When running our creative agency, corporate culture was something as a management team that we worked on to develop and evolve. As a team, we would discuss and explore this asking ourselves these kinds of questions to create a positive working environment.

[Company Culture]

Why are we here?[Purpose]

Connect people with purpose. Why do you exist as a business and what good are you doing in the world?

What’s our aspiration? [Vision]

Work is more meaningful when we have something to aspire to as a team. An inspiring vision allows you to work together towards something amazing.

What makes you ‘you’ in the way you want to do things? [Values]

Creating a strong set of values together before demonstrating, recognising and celebrating them – regularly! Are the behaviours in your company aligning to these values in reality?

What’s the strategy? [Strategy]

What will you do/not do? Ensure everyone is clear about direction, progress, their roles and has what they need to achieve those expectations. Does the way you do things support the culture you want?

What culture would we like? [Culture]

How well do you know your current culture? Can you define it? Have you measured it? What people or routines or rituals create this culture? What culture would you like? What’s needed to close any gaps?

Do you know our people?

Understand your colleagues. Know what they want to achieve and where they want to go. How do they interact with each other? Understand your leaders and managers - are they contributing positively and consistently in their influence and creation of team culture?

What’s our employer brand promise and are we delivering on it?

As an employer, what is the brand promise to colleagues on their employment journey with you? Is the daily employee experience delivering on this promise from hire to retire? Does the reality of the employee experience reflect the culture you desire?

Are we communicating effectively?

Does your communications inform, instruct, involve and inspire your people? From how we’ll communicate to the tone of voice, style, content and channels we’ll use. How does this align with the organisational culture we’re creating?

Like anything, creating a great workplace culture relies on insight, aspiration, discussion, exploration and co-creation - but above all, trying every day to put it into practice.

Workplace culture change is a journey that needs to be worked at. You won’t get it right every day, but you can keep learning and trying.