The concept of workplace culture has evolved significantly. Gone are the days when culture was simply about having a fancy office or perks like an in-house coffee shop. Instead, it’s about the energy, the connections, and the overall vibe that permeates an organization. But how do we create and maintain positive workplace vibes?
Understanding Workplace Culture as a Vibe
At its core, workplace culture is about the feeling people get when they interact with an organization. Kristi Skutvik, a workplace culture expert, defines it succinctly: “When I think of culture, I simplify it to think of like a vibe. Think about what a vibe in general means. Take workplace out of it, right? You walk into Starbucks, you walk into Nordstrom, you walk through Chick-fil-A, like they present themselves with a vibe, and that’s why you go there.”
Interestingly, the vibe of a workplace extends beyond current employees. Alumni, those who have left the organization, also play a crucial role in shaping the company’s reputation and brand in the marketplace. This highlights the importance of creating positive experiences throughout the entire employee lifecycle.
The Intersection of Vibe and Employee Engagement
So how does the vibe of our work experience intersect with employee engagement? Several key factors come into play:
- Connection
- Autonomy
- Flexibility
- Rewards and recognition
These elements form a sort of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in the workplace. “These things are important and whether or not you understand that you’re measuring those things and what it personally means for you, you are,” Kristi explains. They’re fundamental to creating an environment where employees feel valued and engaged.
However, engagement isn’t just about what the organization provides. It’s also about alignment between an individual’s purpose and passions and those of the organization. When there’s a strong alignment, employees are more likely to find fulfillment in their work, leading to higher engagement levels.
Unfortunately, a Forbes study revealed that only 11% of people working actually find joy and passion in what they’re doing. This statistic underscores the importance for organizations to focus on creating positive vibes and meaningful experiences at each step of the employee journey.
Simplicity: The Key to Creating Positive Vibes
One of the most important lessons in creating positive workplace vibes is to keep things simple. Leaders often overcomplicate things, getting caught up in analysis paralysis and losing sight of what’s truly important to people. Kristi advises, “Don’t lose sight of what your gut’s telling you, the common sense and intuition built into you and doing simple task and things to engage the people within your organization.”
At its core, people want to feel connected. This can be achieved through simple actions like picking up the phone to talk to someone or stopping by their desk to ask about their weekend. These small, intentional actions can have a significant impact on the overall vibe of the workplace.
For remote or hybrid workplaces, technology can play a crucial role in maintaining these connections. Video text messages, for instance, can be a powerful tool. Seeing someone’s face and hearing their voice can create a much stronger connection than a simple text or email.
Leveraging Data to Improve Workplace Vibes
While simplicity is key, data can also play a crucial role in improving workplace vibes. However, the approach to collecting and using this data needs to evolve.
Traditionally, organizations have relied on annual engagement surveys – what we might call “Engagement 2.0”. These surveys, while comprehensive, often provide lagging indicators and can lead to survey fatigue among employees.
A more effective approach – let’s call it “Engagement 3.0” – focuses on prevention rather than treatment. This involves measuring critical moments of truth throughout the employee journey, collecting both quantitative and qualitative data in real-time.
For example, instead of waiting for an annual survey, organizations can gather feedback immediately after key experiences like the candidate interview process, the first week of onboarding, or after 30 and 90 days on the job. This real-time data allows for quick, simple actions to address issues as they arise, rather than waiting for a large-scale initiative that may come too late.
Key Areas of Measurement
When measuring workplace vibes, several key areas should be considered:
- Connection
- Communication
- Leadership
- Total rewards
- Growth and development
- Overall vibe
These factors contribute to the feeling employees have when they wake up in the morning – are they excited to start work, or do they dread the day ahead?
A Real-World Example of Vibe Transformation
To illustrate the power of this approach, consider a company that was struggling with high turnover rates – over 50%. Initial exit data suggested that pay was the primary issue. However, upon deeper investigation using more frequent measurements, a different picture emerged.
It turned out that while the candidate experience and initial onboarding were positive, there was a significant drop-off at the 90-day mark. This revealed a misalignment between the expectations set during recruitment and the reality of day-to-day work life.
By identifying this issue through targeted, real-time feedback, the company was able to make specific adjustments to their recruitment and onboarding processes, leading to improved retention rates.
Simple Steps to Improve Workplace Vibes
If you’re inspired to improve the vibes in your workplace, here are some of Kristi’s simple steps to get started:
- Send a video text message to someone on your team. Don’t overthink it – just do it.
- Get to know your people better. Follow them on social media if appropriate, and use that information to build stronger connections.
- Communicate regularly. Talk to your team members, understand their likes and dislikes, and use that knowledge to create a more positive work environment.
- Consider implementing a system for real-time feedback at key moments in the employee journey.
Remember, creating positive workplace vibes isn’t about grand gestures or expensive initiatives. It’s about consistent, authentic actions that show you care about your people and are committed to creating a positive work environment.
The Power of Purpose and Passion
One final thought to consider: many people believe they’re stuck in jobs they don’t like because they need to bring home a paycheck. However, this mindset can lead to disengagement and negative vibes that permeate both personal and professional life. Kristi challenges this belief: “My heart of hearts believe that that is the reason for a lot of disengagement in the workplace and vibes that are created because that mindset then leaks through in every aspect of your life. Personal and professional.
Instead, strive to find purpose and passion in your work. When you truly find joy in what you’re doing, not only will you create more positive vibes around you, but you’re likely to find that financial rewards follow naturally.
Creating positive workplace vibes is about simplicity, connection, and alignment. It’s about understanding your people, measuring what matters, and taking quick, meaningful actions. By focusing on these elements, organizations can create environments where people truly want to work – and that’s a vibe worth striving for.
Listen to the episode: Gut + Science | Episode 206: Creating Positive Work Vibes with Kristi Skutvik
Check out Kristi’s Podcast: Vibecast
Key Takeaways:
- Connecting with team members can identify needs for flexibility, growth, development, and autonomy
- Workplace culture is created through experiences along the employee journey and is also impacted by former employees
- It takes 5 (intentional) minutes a day to show interest in building connections and get to know team members personally
Things to listen for:
[00:05:51] Keeping it Simple: Trust Your Gut
[00:12:14] Evolution of Engagement: Vibes 3.0 in Workplace
[00:19:32] Unveiling the Root Causes of High Turnover
[00:23:55] Connecting through Simple Actions
