Introducing the Cultural Microsphere: A New Approach to Workplace Culture

Oct 3

2 min read

I’m excited to share my latest infographic, which breaks down the layers of Workplace Culture—from an organization's mission to the individual’s cultural microsphere. This model offers a fresh perspective on how culture is created, sustained, and progressed through personal ownership and organizational support.

So why is this model important for organizations and HR professionals?

Well, we HR professionals have a ton of stories to tell! After all, we've seen it all.

Some of us support organizations that grow into fantastic places to work, while others may be working in stagnant cultures and striving to make a significant difference.

Through my career journey, I’ve been fortunate to lead organizations to incredible success—including winning a Top Workplace award. These experiences have culminated in a framework on workplace culture that I’ve been rolling out piece by piece online. This infographic ties these pieces together!

Unlike traditional culture models that focus on organizational-level dynamics, the Cultural Microsphere emphasizes personal ownership and how each employee has a direct hand in shaping the culture around them.

Why does this matter? Let’s look at the key benefits of viewing workplace culture in a different way.

1. It Promotes A Sense of Personal Ownership

Culture is often thought of as a company-wide initiative or a program owned by Human Resources, but this model puts personal ownership at the center. By focusing on individual investments—time, effort, commitment to change, and personal values—the Cultural Microsphere empowers employees to take control of their environment. This leads to greater engagement, collaboration, and ultimately, a stronger, more cohesive culture. It's not performance management, it's real contributions to a workplace that they can be proud of!

2. A Holistic View of Culture

Since those traditional culture models often focus on the organization’s core values, general behaviors, or "perks" in the office, the Cultural Microsphere model goes deeper, providing a layered framework that addresses both the macro (mission, values) and micro (individual actions) dynamics of culture. This helps organizations see culture not just as something that’s dictated from the top, but something that each employee contributes to daily.

3. The Framework Is Scalable and Actionable

Whether you’re an executive aiming for large-scale culture change or an HR professional working on team-level improvements, the Cultural Microsphere model is scalable. It can guide initiatives across departments, teams, or individuals, offering a practical, actionable approach to improving culture. This flexibility allows leaders to apply the model in a variety of contexts, from performance reviews to leadership development programs.

4. It Highlights A Two-Way Influence

The model emphasizes that culture is a two-way street. It’s not just about what leadership dictates—it’s also about how employees invest in and shape their own work environments. By encouraging both top-down support and bottom-up investment, the Cultural Microsphere helps create a culture that’s dynamic, sustainable, and resilient.

It’s believe that this can be a powerful tool for understanding and improving culture at every level of your organization.

I hope you’ll explore the framework in my new infographic and check out my new website for more insights as we continue the conversations!

Find the infographic here.

Follow me on LinkedIn for more content on defining culture and the employee experience.

Posted: 03 October 2024