Welcome to Work Culture Design! For this series, I'm joined by organizational health specialist, Faith Clarke, as we dive into the critical topic of designing healthy work culture.
We start by acknowledging how the current state of work isn't ideal and explore ways to fix it in a meaningful, sustainable, and accessible manner.
We discuss neurodistinctiveness and the importance of creating inclusive workspaces that accommodate diverse needs. We also delve into creating a safe and trusting environment within organizations to foster vulnerability and open communication. Together, we look at the role of micro-cultures and team meetings in promoting inclusivity and trust within organizations.
We discuss the challenges of implementing a more people-centered workplace, focusing on topics like onboarding, equitable compensation, and accessibility.
Finally, we explore the importance of embracing diversity and fostering a sense of belonging within work cultures. Join us in this enlightening conversation as we reimagine and improve our work culture for the better, and learn how to create an environment that allows everyone to flourish. You don't want to miss this incredible discussion!
(0:00:02) - Designing Healthy Work Culture
(0:03:57) - Neurovariance and Vulnerability
(0:15:13) - Meetings for Inclusivity and Trust
(0:22:22) - Creating Care Culture
(0:37:21) - Notice, Move, Integrate Difference
(0:00:02) - Designing Healthy Work Culture (4 Minutes)
We acknowledge that the current state of work is not ideal and explore ways to fix it in a meaningful, sustainable, and accessible manner. Faith shares her experiences with her neurodistinct family and how it has shaped her understanding of creating healthy communities of humans. Together, we discuss the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and how teams can serve as the perfect microcosm to practice these concepts in a non-performative way. Join us as we embark on this series to reimagine and improve our work culture for the better.
(0:03:57) - Neurovariance and Vulnerability (11 Minutes)
Exploring the concept of neurodistinctiveness, we discuss the importance of shifting the business landscape to accommodate diverse needs and create a more inclusive workspace. We challenge the idea of a "typical" neurotype and emphasize the need for supporting variations in individuals. As business owners, understanding and embracing the differences in people, both neurologically and otherwise, is essential. We also delve into the importance of creating a safe and trusting environment within organizations to foster vulnerability and open communication. By playing the long game in cultivating an inclusive culture, leaders can better support their teams and promote a healthier work environment.
(0:15:13) - Meetings for Inclusivity and Trust (7 Minutes)
In this conversation, we delve into the role of micro-cultures in addressing systemic issues within organizations. We discuss the importance of creating spaces for expression and curiosity, allowing for open and honest communication between team members. By fostering a culture of listening and understanding, we can begin to break down barriers and promote healing within the workplace. We also consider the significance of team meetings as a primary place for intervention and practicing inclusivity, and how to make these meetings more effective and meaningful for all participants.
(0:22:22) - Creating Care Culture (15 Minutes)
We dive deep into the challenges that arise from implementing a more people-centered workplace, focusing on topics such as onboarding, equitable compensation, and accessibility. As the business landscape shifts toward supporting humans' mental and physical health, we emphasize the importance of fostering a culture of care within organizations. By nurturing collaboration and cooperation within teams, we can create an inclusive environment where employees feel heard and valued. Developing intentional strategies and structures for active listening is crucial to achieving a more inclusive and supportive workplace for all.
(0:37:21) - Notice, Move, Integrate Difference (13 Minutes)
Finally, we explore the importance of embracing diversity and fostering a sense of belonging within work cultures. Building on the concept of noticing and moving towards differences, we use the analogy of a high school party to understand how to integrate diverse perspectives into a cohesive whole. We emphasize the value of listening and being present with others, as well as being open to possibilities and creating an aspirational culture that is nourishing for all. By focusing on shared goals and supporting one another, we can create an environment that allows everyone to flourish.
Reimagining Work Culture: Designing Inclusive and Healthy Work Environments