Workplace culture is all about feelings and emotions
Encyclopedia.com defines corporate culture as “the shared values, attitudes, standards, and beliefs that characterize members of an organization and define its nature. Derived from an organization’s goals, strategies, structure, and approaches to labor, customers, investors, and the greater community.”¹
Add to that definition some familiar phrases about culture: “the way things are done around here,” “the average of everyone,” your company’s personality,” “the emotional experience.”
Workplace culture is all about feelings and emotions. Feelings are associated with physical body reactions—like being tired. This is why physicians ask, “How are you feeling?” Emotions are the mental associations with and reactions to feeling—like being tired because you’re so drained from not being sure if you’re going to get the promotion you need to afford your new car payments. This is why therapists ask, “How does that make you feel?”
More simply, feelings are the language of the body, and emotions are the translation of those feelings in the mind. Feelings cause emotions. If you’re feeling filled up with energy, you’ll likely activate emotions associated with productivity, accomplishment, or even passion.
What matters is the sum of the feelings and emotions you have when you’re on the job and the feelings and emotions you have when thinking about work before or after you’re officially on the clock. We all know that energy lingers and crosses over the superficial work-life balance lines. And they impact everyone we have contact with.
Have you been a part of a culture where you felt sick just thinking about going into work?
And what about being a part of a culture where you had butterflies in your stomach because you were so excited about what it was you were about to do?
You know the difference between the two? Your body knows the difference; it sends you messages about whether that culture is a good fit for you.
The messages can be received through paying attention to your silent but powerful energy. Are you being filled or drained? Is your inner battery being charged or sucked dry and in need of jumper cables just to make it through the week? Ultimately, that energy tells you whether you love it, like it, or hate it there.
I used to think that culture was just something that happened. And it does, but if you are looking to revive or launch an intentional workplace experience, crafting your culture will be a practice in intention, dedication, and joy. Yeah, you read that right! When you are intentional about the space you desire to create and are dedicated to tending to that environment regularly, joy is the natural result. And joy can live only in the presence of your values.
This is an excerpt from MaryBeth’s new book Permission to Be Human: The Conscious Leader’s Guide to Creating a Values-Driven Culture.
If you are a conscious leader looking to improve your employee engagement. This company culture book is for you.