What Do Great Workplace Cultures Have in Common?

Every workplace culture is different. But the best ones share a few things in common.

Over the years, I've worked in, led, and advised organizations across the globe. Some were fast-paced. Others were in transformation. Some had outstanding leadership, while others were still figuring things out. But the truly great cultures consistently demonstrated seven foundational elements that strengthened the employee experience. There of course might be more, but these are based on the things I have seen on the ground, as they play out, and used as a framework to build award-winning workplace cultures.

And these show up right at the Cultural Microsphere™ level.

If you're not familiar, The Cultural Microsphere™ is a framework I developed to help organizations define, measure, and progress work place culture by focusing on the employee's immediate work environment - their "microsphere".

That means their team, tools, norms, and relationships. It’s not just about company-wide values or mission statements. It’s about how culture is experienced daily, at the most human level.

Here are the seven traits I’ve found in thriving workplace cultures, individually. To learn more, see the infographic which takes a deeper dive each with more details into the human behaviors you should be looking for, and the alignment strategies that support that trait.

1. Growth is Prioritized, Not Assumed 

Employees who grow, stay. In great cultures, development isn’t left to chance. It’s embedded into 1:1s, learning programs, and career pathways.

2. Systems are Both Scalable and Adaptable 

Workflows should flex. Tools should enable, not hinder. The best cultures constantly refine how work gets done.

3. Psychological Safety is Practiced, Not Preached 

It’s not enough to say “bring your whole self to work.” Great cultures create space for vulnerability and real inclusion.

4. Underperformance is Addressed Promptly 

Avoidance kills culture. The best teams don’t ignore poor performance. They handle it with clarity and compassion.

5. Communication is Open and Multi-Directional 

When people feel heard, cultures move faster. Leaders in great cultures encourage input and explain the why behind decisions.

6. Effort is Seen, Valued, and Honored 

Celebrating outcomes is good. But recognizing effort builds trust, reinforces values, and fuels momentum.

7. Change is Normalized and Supported 

Change shouldn't feel like a threat. Great cultures make it part of the rhythm. It’s expected, supported, and led well.

Check out and download the full infographic that dives deeper into each of these traits.

Want to improve your culture?

Start by strengthening what surrounds your people. These seven elements are a great place to begin. If you’re curious about how to use this framework in your own organization, let’s connect: christopherahudson@outlook.com

Illustrations provided by ChatGPT.

Posted:  31 July 2025

Christopher A. Hudson, SHRM-SCP, Associate CIPD

www.christopherhudsonhr.com