FAQs Healthy Workplace Culture

1. What is a healthy workplace culture?

A healthy workplace culture is one where people feel safe, valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work. It is marked by trust, clear communication, shared purpose, accountability, and mutual respect – regardless of role or title.

2. Why does workplace culture matter?

Culture drives behavior, performance, and decision-making. A healthy culture increases:
• Employee engagement and retention.
• Innovation and adaptability.
• Productivity and collaboration.
• Customer satisfaction.
• And it reduces costs related to turnover, burnout, conflict, and poor performance.

3. What is workplace culture created?

Culture is created by what leaders say and do, how decisions are made, how conflict is handled, what is rewarded or ignored, and how people are treated on a day-to-day basis. It is shaped intentionally or by default – but it always exists.

4. What are the signs of a healthy workplace culture?

• Open and honest communication.
• Clear purpose and shared values.
• Psychological safety and trust.
• Accountability without blame.
• A sense of belonging and inclusion.
• Opportunities for growth and feedback.
• Respect for work-life boundaries

5. What are the signs of an unhealthy or toxic workplace culture?

• High turnover and burnout.
• Fear-based leadership or micromanagement.
• Gossip, silos, or passive-aggressive behavior.
• Lack of transparency or inconsistent communication.
• Disengaged employees or “quiet quitting”.
• Diversity without inclusion or equity.

6. What is responsible for workplace culture?

Everyone contributes to workplace culture, but leaders set the tone. Their behaviors, attitudes, and decisions influence what is considered acceptable and what is not. That said, healthy cultures are co-created – not top-down mandates, but shared commitments.

7. Can workplace culture really be changed?

Yes, but it takes intention, time, and consistency. Changing workplace culture involves both mindset and systems:
• Leadership modeling.
• Clear values and expectations.
• Supportive policies and practices.
• Ongoing feedback and learning loops.

Culture change isn’t a one-time event—it’s a continuous process.

8. How does psychological safety related to workplace culture?

Psychological safety is a cornerstone of a healthy workplace culture. It means people feel safe to speak up, make mistakes, challenge ideas, and be themselves without fear of ridicule or punishment. It fosters learning, creativity, and resilience.

9. How can we assess the health of our workplace culture?

Through a combination of:
• Employee feedback and engagement surveys.
• Interviews or focus groups.
• Observation of behaviors and interactions.
• Metrics like retention, absenteeism, and performance.
• You can also use cultural assessments or facilitated diagnostics (like those offered by culture strategists or consultants).

Ask us for specifics to your issue or opportunity.

10. What is the role of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) in workplace culture?

DEIB is not separate from culture—it is part of culture. A truly healthy workplace culture:
• Actively includes diverse perspectives.
• Addresses bias and systemic barriers.
• Ensures everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

Without inclusion and belonging, workplace culture efforts are incomplete and often unsustainable.

What are some common mistakes organizations make in trying to "fix" workplace culture?

• Treating culture as a branding or PR exercise.
• Failing to be transparent about what is really going on in the organization.
• Pushing quick fixes without addressing root causes.
• Focusing only on perks instead of relationships and systems.
• Asking for feedback and doing nothing with it.
• Avoiding hard conversations or denying problems exist.
• Not engaging employees

How do we get started in improving our workplace culture?

Start with listening and reflection. Understand where you are, clarify your values, and engage your team in co-creating change. Begin with small, meaningful shifts in how you lead, communicate, and relate—and build from there. Follow us on LinkedIn to receive regular insights and ideas on how to improve workplace culture and improvement - along with why you would want to do so.