Imagine // Closer Culture // Preview

CLOSER CULTURE

04

THE GRAFFITI EFFECT Unseen influences on organisational culture.

36

CAN CULTURE BE MEASURED? Culture can be used as a competitive advantage — but how do you measure the intangible?

Issue 5 interactiveworkshops.com

40

HOW TO CULTIVATE INTROVERTED TALENT How to empower introverts in the workplace.

Contributors Publisher Interactive Workshops Writers Jonna Sercombe Milly Gladstone Megan Roberts Emily Larson Rebecca Millsop Chris Lissaman Lizzie Finch Alice Brackley Ben Heath George Dickinson Simone Sullivan Reuben Fletcher-Louis Rachel Cise Courtney Mainwaring Editors Chris Lissaman Lizzie Finch Design Sanda Vieru Mara Green Emily Larson

A NOTE FROM THE CEO Culture is the invisible thread that binds people within an organisation. It shapes how we act, interact, and thrive. In this issue of Imagine Magazine by Interactive Workshops, we explore the nuances of Closer Culture — how it can be understood, shaped, and made stronger.

We explore the delicate task of measuring something seemingly intangible (p.36) and the power that a simple mantra can have in uniting a team (p.30). We also touch on the concept of invisible leaders (p.24) and unpack the human element behind organisational success (p.34). This magazine is a collection of reflections, insights, and case studies that bring culture closer to home.

Enjoy,

Photography Sam Elwin Illustration Gaby Bran Jade Kim Stock Imagery Shutterstock Unsplash Printed in the UK by Blissetts Unit 1, Shield Drive, West Cross Industrial Park, Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9EX

Copyright Interactive Workshops © 2024 All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher. Whilst every effort is made to achieve total accuracy, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions within this magazine.

To work with us please contact: info@interactiveworkshops.com or call Chris Lissaman on +44 (0)20 3318 5753 interactiveworkshops.com

Jonna Sercombe CEO & Founder Interactive Workshops

Features

14

CULTURE: IT’S A WILD THING

36

Lessons in culture from the animal kingdom.

20

COMPOUNDING CONVERSATIONS FOR FEEDBACK CULTURE

CAN CULTURE BE MEASURED? Culture can be used as a competitive advantage — but how do you measure the intangible?

40

Find the empowerment in creating a culture of feedback.

HOW TO CULTIVATE INTROVERTED TALENT How to empower introverts in the workplace.

Articles

04

THE GRAFFITI EFFECT

30

Unseen influences on organisational culture.

10

THE GENERATION GAME

The importance of mantras in forming workplace culture.

32

How to get the best working conditions for the five generations.

18

HOW LOUD ARE YOUR SYMBOLS?

34

Case Studies

GROWTH THROUGH FEEDBACK Rethinking feedback culture in a rapidly expanding business.

28

UNDERSTANDING THE HUMAN ELEMENT IN ORGANISATIONAL SUCCESS Understanding how psychological capital can improve your organisation.

THE INVISIBLE LEADERS The hidden impact of bottom-up culture creation.

08

NETWORKING TO GET WORKING Networking that goes beyond exchanging business cards.

Are organisational symbols really all that?

24

THE POWER OF A MANTRA

MOVE CLOSER. BUILD STRONGER. Inspiring top executives and leaders to integrate the strategic plan into core activities.

Also in this issue Font of Knowledge...26 | Advice Column...44

42

RITUALS WE RECOMMEND A guide to some of our favourite rituals and rhythms.

Interviews

12

CONNECTING THE DOTS: HOW LEARNING EMPOWERS COMPANY CULTURE We speak to a client about the crucial role L&D plays in shaping company culture.

CONTENTS

THE

I T I F F A R G EFFECT Small acts build or break organisational culture.

Rebecca Millsop shows us the writing on the wall — our organisational graffiti.

04

05

Think of workplace culture as a shared mural — each person adds their own ’graffiti’ through daily actions.

Some contributions are bright and beautiful, making the space more inviting. Others, though less visible, have a less positive effect, gradually dulling the environment. These actions can accumulate over time and can significantly shape the overall culture.

Positive Scribbles: The Subtle Acts that Brighten Culture

Negative Scribbles: The Acts that Quietly Undermine Culture

You might not realise it, but those quiet, thoughtful actions you take are the colourful brushstrokes that bring life to the workplace. Refilling the coffee station before it runs out. Restocking the printer paper. These small gestures keep the wheels turning, creating a space where everything runs smoothly and everyone feels a bit more at ease.

On the flip side, small acts of neglect can be like graffiti that detracts from the mural. It may seem trivial at first, but, over time, they build up. Picture the office fridge — forgotten lunches and spoiled food don’t just cause a bad smell; they communicate a lack of care for shared spaces. Or take the full dishwasher — left for ‘someone else’ to handle.

These actions send a subtle message: “This isn’t my responsibility.”

Then there’s the act of recognising quiet contributions — the colleague who keeps things organised or goes the extra mile behind the scenes.

It takes just a moment to say “thank you,” but it adds a streak of appreciation and value to the workplace mural.

Problem-solving without seeking attention — like fixing the office’s tangled charging cables or cleaning up a spill in the kitchen — may seem invisible, but it’s these small, proactive acts that prevent bigger frustrations down the road.

Respecting your colleagues’ time by not sending non-urgent emails after hours is another unseen yet meaningful action contributing to a healthier work-life balance.

Of course, these positive scribbles don’t happen by accident. Leaders who model respect and effective communication help foster this kind of positive culture. According to a CMI report, workplaces with strong leadership see lower turnover and greater employee satisfaction. It turns out that when leaders lead by example, everyone’s brushstrokes become a little more vibrant.

06

Leaving personal items scattered in shared spaces, ignoring communal duties like taking out the trash, or not replenishing supplies erodes accountability.

Over time, these behaviours create an environment that feels messy and disconnected.

A study by Dan Hasson & Karin Villaume, published in the Journal of Public Health, found that even small instances of workplace incivility significantly correlate with stress and well-being. Even a few careless scribbles can have a real impact on the entire mural.

Civility and Incivility: Not Just Opposites Civility isn’t merely the absence of incivility. As Xue Peng’s meta-analysis explains, you can’t simply erase negative behaviour and expect positive culture to appear.

Just as a beautiful mural takes intentional effort, so does building a culture of civility. It requires ongoing, deliberate acts of respect and care to truly create a space where everyone feels valued.

What Are You Adding to the Mural?

Every day, little actions contribute to the workplace culture. Are our daily behaviours helping to create a masterpiece, or are they adding a few careless scribbles?

A positive culture isn’t built overnight — it’s the result of small, thoughtful acts that make the workplace more inclusive, respectful, and productive. Leadership and communication are key to ensuring everyone’s contributions add up to something worth admiring.

Sources: 1CMI — New Study — Bad managers and toxic work culture causing one in three staff to walk; 2Journal of Public Health — Incivility is systematically associated with indicators of health, stress, well-being, and the psychosocial work environment; 3 Frontiers in Psychology — Advancing Workplace Civility.

07

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