Culture doesn’t happen by accident; you have to create it.
If culture is shaped by what we repeatedly allow, then leadership is shaped by what we repeatedly practice. Supervisors have a powerful opportunity to influence the health of their workplace every day, often in small moments that matter more than policies or perks. Every conversation, decision, and moment of tension sends a message about what really matters at work. When leaders invest time in building healthy workplace habits, they strengthen trust, engagement, and accountability, improving results while also improving the quality of daily working life.
Leaders can use their sphere of influence to positively impact their workplace to make it a more engaged, accountable, and effective environment. Workplaces thrive where there is a culture of trust, a shared vision, and a sense of value. Positive workplace environments experience increased employee retention, wellness, and overall performance.
Heart Strong Work: Improving Workplace Culture by Linda J. Kligman, Ph.D., provides a practical guide to connecting with colleagues, closing the gaps that divide us, and finding recognition, mutual support, and satisfaction in the workplace. Here are a few Heart Strong Habits sampled from the book.
Build Courage
- Dare to care. When you feel vulnerable, show it.
- Speak authentically, regardless of your role.
- Convene circles to expand and stimulate your connections.
Catalyze Engagement
- When faced with a decision, make a list of all the people who might be impacted.
- Pick your engagement strategy.
- Be transparent and communicate how a decision will be made.
Nurture Belonging
- Use check-in circles to build familiarity.
- Invite people to share their stories from outside work.
- Ask a colleague to help create a team builder with you.
Never Waste a Conflict
- Make a big deal out of small things before they get any bigger.
- Take responsibility to raise concerns directly with those who need to know.
- Circle up when people do not understand the impact they have on others.
Trust in Transparency
- Never break confidence—it erodes trust.
- Words will be repeated; choose carefully.
- When feelings are raw, circle up to give those feelings a place for expression.
To learn more about fostering a more connected, engaged, and accountable workplace culture, register for Restorative Practices at Work: Relational Tools for Culture Change. With an emphasis on relationships and emotional intelligence, participants will explore tools to build trust, strengthen engagement, and promote mutual accountability. Participants will assess their current workplace and design culture improvement strategies to support positive and sustainable change. Each registration includes a copy of Heart Strong Work, available now in our Bookstore.
