Tag: Culture
-
Practicing DEIB When You’re Afraid to Get It Wrong
Let’s be honest: a lot of well-meaning leaders are scared to say the wrong thing. They care about creating inclusive, equitable, human-centered workplaces. They want to get diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) “right.” But that desire—while good-hearted—often gets tangled up in the fear of fumbling. So they freeze. Or delegate. Or retreat into polished…
-
Unmasking Professionalism: Toward a More Courageous Way of Working
There’s a moment that happens, quietly and almost imperceptibly, at the start of the workday. Maybe it happens in the car, or in front of the bathroom mirror, or during the familiar click of a Zoom login. It’s the moment we put the mask on. Not a literal mask, but the one we’ve been trained…
-
Is Your Organization People-Positive or Just People-Tolerant?
We hear a lot about “people-first” cultures. Companies love to claim they “empower employees” and “foster collaboration.” But if you take a closer look, many of these workplaces aren’t truly people-positive—they’re just people-tolerant. What’s the difference? A people-positive organization does much more than just accommodate people. It actively invests in their growth, autonomy, and purpose.…
-
Leadership in Times of Oppression: Building Organizations That Resist and Protect
It’s impossible to ignore what’s happening in the world right now. Many of us are watching, hearts in our throats, as hard-won rights are stripped away, voices are silenced, and authoritarian forces gain momentum. If you’re part of a marginalized community—if your existence, your identity, your rights, or your safety are suddenly up for debate—you’re…
-
The Future of Work Is Evolutionary, Not Extractive
For too long, work has been shaped by extractive models that prioritize short-term gains, exploit human potential, and leave people burned out, disengaged, or disposable. The signs are everywhere: mass layoffs as cost-cutting tools, relentless back-to-office mandates, the rollback of DEI initiatives, and leadership cultures that treat people as expendable resources rather than valued contributors.…
-
Culture by Design: Exploring Six Types That Shape Organizations
As I put the final touches on my book Organizing for Impact, I found myself reflecting on a section that feels especially timely in which I discuss six types of cultures I have encountered in the workplace. In a world where back-to-the-office mandates are tightening their grip, DEI initiatives face increasing pushback, and mass layoffs…
-
Employee Engagement Decline: The Alarm’s Been Going Off for Years
Last week, Gallup released its annual report on employee engagement, and the findings are hard to ignore. Employee engagement in the U.S. has dropped to its lowest level in a decade, with only 31% of employees engaged and 17% actively disengaged. This continues a troubling downward trend over the past few years and highlights the…
-
Resolutions for Resilience: Exploring Self-Management in 2025
As the new year approaches, it’s tradition to reflect on the past twelve months and set resolutions for the year ahead. These resolutions often focus on our personal growth—getting healthier, saving more, learning something new. But what if we extended this practice to our organizations? What kinds of resolutions could our teams and workplaces make…
-
Making the Leap: How to Prepare Your Organization for Self-Management
The idea of self-management can feel both inspiring and intimidating. It promises greater autonomy, shared accountability, and a workplace where trust, transparency, and collaboration replace rigid hierarchies. But how do you get there? If you’re contemplating this transformation in 2025, you’re not alone. Organizations across industries are realizing that traditional power structures often stifle creativity…
-
Reflecting on Organizational Purpose: Is It Guiding Your Growth?
As the calendar inches closer to its final pages, it’s natural for organizations to shift into reflection mode. Leaders take stock of the year’s successes and challenges, employees look back on what worked and what didn’t, and teams gather to plan for the road ahead. In purpose-driven organizations, this season of reflection is an opportunity…