Editor’s Note: Is 2022 the Year of Workplace Culture?

With workplaces slowly reopening, people might come back to their desks sooner or later, but the “new normal” characterized by hybrid and remote work and other flexible arrangements are here to stay.  Needless to say, the ability to manage dispersed teams and lead in this brave new world is critical. And the chord that connects all of these elements is an organization’s workplace culture.

Feeling connected to the purpose and people at work has always been important, and now with the changing dynamics, this is even more necessary to retain talent. Employees have started prioritizing their ideal workplace culture when choosing an employer. And organizations today are doing their best to focus on creating a strong and attractive workplace culture to keep employees motivated, connected, and included, no matter their physical working location.

How should employers adapt their workplace culture initiatives for the new reality? Can a workplace culture of kindness and empathy build more engaged teams? Here are some highlights of the expert articles in this edition that provide insightful takeaways to help you manage your workforce.

Remote and hybrid employees are engaged more than their in-office counterparts and they have a better perception of their culture, according to recent Quantum Workplace Research.

On the cover, we have Cyndi Wenninghoff’s (Employee Success Manager, Quantum Workplace) article, Shaping Company Culture In A Remote And Hybrid Workplace which highlights 10 strategies, backed by research, to help you build an engaging culture across remote, hybrid, and on-site employees.

What are today’s workforces missing?...definitely not ping pong tournaments. Employees are seeking belonging, flexibility, and inclusion. To learn more about how organizations can create an enticing workplace culture, check out Anne Jacoby’s (Founder, Spring Street Solutions) article, Creating A Great Work Culture Is More Than Ping Pong Tables.

A company culture should be built upon a set of shared values, stresses Shradha Mittal (SVP, People & Culture, Trulioo) in her article, Shared Values Are The Foundation Of A Great Workplace Culture. Allison Barr’s (Leadership Solutions Partner, CCL) article, How To Cultivate A Workplace Culture Of Kindness And Empathy highlights how maximizing kindness and empathy can benefit the entire organization.

Also, do not miss out on the CHRO Corner, where Lever’s Employee Operations Manager, Sarah Britton shares her HR journey so far, the challenges she has overcome in her career, the learnings over the years, and a range of issues facing organizations today.

We hope you find some helpful tips and takeaways in all the informative articles on workplace culture and other leadership strategies in this issue of Leadership Excellence.  Do let us know your thoughts, suggestions, and feedback on our articles.

Happy Reading!