And why the ‘vibe’ at work matters so much
Organisational culture is the heartbeat of a workplace. It influences everything — from how you communicate and collaborate, to how motivated and connected you feel to your teammates. According to psychologist Edgar Schein, who studied the dynamics of organisational culture extensively, it’s about the shared assumptions, beliefs, and behaviours that shape everyday work life.
The short answer = everyone. But leaders play a crucial role. People naturally look to leaders for cues about what’s acceptable. For example, if a manager always praises speed over care, that sends a clear signal about what’s valued.
That said, culture is also a team sport. Every conversation, shared win, every time someone speaks up or shows care — it all adds up.
Culture has a direct impact on how safe you feel to speak up, how motivated you are to do your best work, and how connected you feel to the team around you. A strong, positive culture fosters trust and openness. In contrast, a toxic culture can lead to disengagement, stress, and high turnover rates.
At its core, culture is the vibe or personality of a team, a set of unspoken rules that everyone adheres to without necessarily saying them out loud. It influences how decisions are made, what gets praised, and what gets brushed aside.
And that’s why, regardless of your role, it’s important to care about the culture around you. You don’t need to be in charge to make a difference. But by paying attention to your company’s culture and reflecting on how you can contribute, you can help foster a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and motivated.
Schein, E. H. (1990). Organizational culture. American Psychologist, 45(2), 109–119. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.45.2.109
Hatch, M. J., & Schultz, M. (2002). The dynamics of organizational identity. Human Relations, 55(8), 989–1018. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726702055008181
https://bigthink.com/business/company-culture-can-be-hard-to-define-heres-a-framework/