Creating a Vibrant, Inclusive Culture
A large public agency facing overlapping challenges, including a reorganization and protracted harassment cases, struggled to create a cohesive, respectful, inclusive workplace culture. The goal was to repair trust, improve communication and transparency, and establish the organization as a place where everyone is valued, respected and treated equitably.
ChallengePraxis HR was hired to complete a baseline assessment of the organization’s culture, collaborate with staff and leaders to develop a detailed action plan outlining the priorities and steps needed for improvement, and design and facilitate strategic interventions including trainings, workshops and teambuilding events.
ApproachThe client had both immediate and long-term needs, and our approach was designed to address both. First, we performed a baseline assessment of the culture using surveys, interviews with staff from across the organization, and focus groups. The goal was to gather different interpretations of the current culture depending on job roles and individual experiences, and to solicit input about specific tactics for achieving a respectful and inclusive work environment.
After a gap analysis to identify opportunities for change, we helped convene a Culture Team made up of a cross-section of staff from all levels, whom we collaborated with to develop a Blueprint for Change, a detailed action plan that provided a practical yet ambitious step-by-step guide to transform the culture in four core areas. Simultaneously, we designed and facilitated trainings for all staff and leaders to target acute pain points and develop critical skills, from constructive conflict to effective communication.
The culture transformation unfolded over months, and is still ongoing. We continue to offer strategic consulting, to facilitate trainings for staff and leaders, and to co-host with the Culture Team organization-wide workshops for staff to learn and connect with each other — all with a research-based, modern understanding of what inclusion and equity truly look and feel like in a workplace setting.
OutcomesQualitative results are just as impressive. Staff report that with new tools and skills, teamwork has become more successful based on common understanding and trust, there’s better communication and transparency across teams, and the organization is a place people are happy to work.