What do we mean by workplace culture? There are so many soundbites to choose from…

"Culture is the worst behaviour a leader tolerates" – Dr John Amaechi

"Culture eats strategy for breakfast" – Peter Drucker

"Culture is not a PowerPoint slide; it has to grow from within" – Daniel Coyne

Intriguing glimpses into the world of workplace culture, yet they fail to capture its full complexity. For me, culture is something that should be clearly defined and curated, just like your marketing colleagues define and curate your brand.

1. Culture has to be defined to deliver an organisation’s objectives

Culture is not a fluffy, pink ‘nice to have’ that happens over there while business planning, strategy, and day-to-day deliverables are going on over here. It’s not an afterthought; it’s the foundation upon which everything else is built. A strong culture aligns your employees’ values, behaviours, and actions with the organisation’s goals. It drives performance, fuels collaboration, and fosters innovation. Without a defined culture, your organisation is like a ship without a compass, drifting aimlessly in a sea of missed opportunities.

2. Culture has to be defined to deliver an empowering, enabling, and enduringly positive employee experience

Your people are the heart and soul of your organisation. To attract and retain top talent, you need more than just an attractive salary package or a flexible working policy. You need a culture that empowers, enables, and uplifts your employees. A positive employee experience is the result of a well-crafted culture that supports work-life balance, encourages growth and development, and values individual contributions. By cultivating a culture that puts your people first, you create an environment where creativity thrives, burnout is minimized, and change is embraced. For me,

Culture is what makes workplaces work

And this is powerful in two key ways:

1. Culture is what makes workplaces work for the organisation and its shareholders

Your culture is the secret sauce that sets your organisation apart from the competition. It shapes your reputation, drives customer loyalty, and influences financial success. A strong, purposeful culture enables strategic execution, fosters agility, and attracts investors. It’s the invisible force that drives the behaviours of your people (from the newest recruit to the most senior leader), propels your organisation towards its goals and ensures its long-term sustainability.

2. Culture is what makes workplaces work for everyone who works there – a great place to work, a great employee experience

Imagine a workplace where employees feel a sense of belonging, where their voices are heard, and where their contributions are valued. That’s the power of culture. It defines how your organisation behaves on a day-to-day basis, especially when faced with challenges. It dictates decision-making processes, shapes responses to failures, and determines the overall work environment. A strong culture creates a shared purpose, builds trust, and fosters collaboration—making your organisation a magnet to attract, and vitally, to retain top talent.

Culture – your organisational superpower

Culture is no mere buzzword or intangible concept. It’s your organisation’s superpower—an invisible force that propels you towards success. By defining and curating your workplace culture, you lay the foundation for engaged employees, high-performance teams, and a thriving organisation. So, don’t underestimate the power of culture.

Embrace it, nurture it, and watch your workplace transform into a force to be reckoned with.

Author: Jo Moffatt, Advisory Board member Engage for Success and Managing Director, Woodreed

Jo’s ‘day job’ is MD of Woodreed, a specialist ad agency who use compelling creativity and the insight led approach of the advertising world to engage employees inside organisations and create high-performing workplaces.

Jo has been a volunteer with the UK’s leading not-for-profit voice on employee engagement, Engage for Success, since its launch. She sits on the Advisory Board and hosts the weekly radio podcast.

Appearing on stages at home and abroad, Jo’s talked for senior leadership and in-house teams including the NHS, CIPD, the UK Supreme Court, Future of Work and Employee Engagement Summits, Business Culture Connected and Health and Wellbeing at Work. She is also a judge for the international Engage Awards.

Contact details: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jomoffattwoodreed/ Website: www.woodreed.com and www.engageforsuccess.org

Photo credit: Cat Hadler, Creative Commercial Photography, on behalf of the Business Culture Awards