Culture Audit

How do we investigate the culture of our workplace?

Photo by Proxyclick Visitor Management System on Unsplash

How can you determine the culture of a community as a new member or as a senior member? How do you know how people are perceiving the culture of the community you are currently leading? These are questions that have been on my mind lately, especially as we enter the summer months, which are more poised for reflection.

There are often layers to community culture. There is the outward layer of culture that institutions often name in their mission statements on their websites. Then, there is the more hidden culture that is harder to understand and define. We mostly find this out after we have entered a community and have spent some time there. How do we find this out?

I have worked in many different institutions in my career. This has enabled me to observe and investigate culture in each place. Here is some of what I learned.

Company culture is an integral part of every organization’s functioning.

–Harver

Culture can have an impact on an individual’s daily work life.

It can be a factor in recruitment and retention of employees, the level of engagement of an employee, and their investment in their own growth, according to Deanna Debora in her article on company culture. 

In collaborative work…

The culture of your company can influence the way teams work together. The way individuals feel in the workplace is connected to the way they interact with colleagues on teams. In schools where I felt less connected and welcomed, I volunteered less, did not pursue professional development, and did not take interest in my colleagues or collaborative work. I kept my nose down and did my own thing. In places where I felt welcomed and seen from the start, I participated and engaged in community work, looked actively for leadership opportunities, and sought out my colleagues to collaborate. 

How do you audit the culture of a place?

For me, having been a new member of a community many times over, I used the following strategies.

Observe:

• Observing the people, place, and systems around me was a key factor in understanding the new culture I was entering. 
• Questions to consider: How do people greet, meet, and interact? How is the physical place set up, cared for, and treated? What systems work and don’t work in the company? Do the systems align with the mission and vision of the place?

Reflect:

• I reflect on what I have observed, not so much with judgment, but more with curiosity and a desire to understand. This is important. Refrain from judgment.
• Questions: What is the history of the place and the people that have led to the current systems? What changes have taken place recently that may impact the people, place, and systems? What is my role?

Asking questions with curiosity is a key to entering a new culture and community. This could be a time of change for you and your institution, depending on your role. You are an observer learning about what already exists. Knowing where you have been and what expectations and perceptions you bring to your role in this new community is also important. Keep an open mind, observe, and reflect.