While a good workplace culture can sometimes develop naturally when employees enjoy working together and have time to connect, a holistic and sustainable culture is shaped by leadership. Employees look to their leaders not just for the "why" but also to model the desired workplace culture.
From our recent conversations with leaders, it’s clear that there are many ways to build a strong workplace culture. The common priorities among these top leaders were all about engagement, connection, and experience. Below, we’ll share some of the ways they put this into action.
Experiences and Relationships That Stick
While employees today value autonomy, they also seek a balance of structured opportunities to collaborate, network, and build relationships in the workplace. The most effective leaders create this structure by offering a mix of meaningful in-person interactions—such as team training, collaboration days, and company-wide events—while also setting clear and rightsized expectations for office utilization in alignment with their team's needs and the company vision.
While many leaders commented on the success of their events, some expressed concern that the "eventification" of work may lead to the perception that significant moments at work only occur during large-scale events. Serendipitous encounters often top the list of meaningful interactions and are highly desired by leaders and employees alike.
The leaders we spoke to understood the power of workplace design in enabling organic engagement opportunities such as serendipitous encounters. They advocated for flexible workspaces that support everything from individual focus work to informal collaboration and meaningful team adjacencies, inspiring natural cross-functional collaboration.
Fostering relationships within and across teams is another key aspect of building workplace culture. Strong workplace connections contribute directly to retention, and leaders who actively encourage events such as- informal team gatherings, social events, volunteering, and shared meals helped cultivate a sense of belonging and camaraderie. Many leaders emphasized that prioritizing these activities during work hours ensures inclusivity, allowing more employees to participate without sacrificing personal time. It also reinforces the company's commitment to socialization as a valuable aspect of work.
Designing and Activating the Workplace Experience
Thoughtful workplace design can inspire employees to choose the office, especially when it supports their work, relationships, and sense of connection. The best leaders sought to enhance the workplace experience by advocating for work settings that align with the activities employees seek to complete in the office. Many leaders highlighted the need for dynamic meeting spaces, breakout areas, individual focus spaces, and workplace amenities to create an environment that is both comfortable and productive.
One leader emphasized that employee input should drive these decisions, saying, "Based on this feedback, I think soundproofing meeting spaces will make people happier than new carpet." This employee-centered approach to workplace design not only fosters trust and engagement but also significantly improves office effectiveness. Leaders that valued function over finish, ensuring that their teams have the right space, equipment, and level of privacy to make the office a viable place to work saw the most success.
Modeling desired behaviors is one of the most powerful ways leaders cultivate a thriving workplace culture. For example, when employees observe leaders actively using the new types of furniture settings, mentioned above, they are more likely to do the same, reinforcing workplace culture through both design and behavior. Leadership presence goes beyond simply being in the office—it’s about participating in collaborative work, fostering informal discussions, and making time for meaningful connections.
Closing Thoughts
It’s no surprise that leaders play a major role in employee retention. They shape workplace culture, influencing whether employees feel engaged, valued, and connected to their organization. In companies where employees have a strong cultural bond but experience toxic leadership, there’s often a higher risk of departures—and those employees may take their colleagues with them.
Successful leaders create meaningful interactions that help employees grow together and strengthen relationships. They advocate for workplace experiences that align with their team’s needs, whether that means renovating office spaces, dedicating wall space to team accomplishments, or simply fostering an interactive work environment. Most importantly, these leaders are present, interacting with their teams, and reinforcing the values that drive both organizational and team success.
Workplace consultants can help leaders better understand employee needs and create experiences that empower teams to thrive. Assessments such as the Knight Index and tools like Team Agreements provide valuable insights into managing and engaging dispersed teams effectively.
Check out all the articles in our Workplace Culture 3-part series!
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