We've Always Done It This Way

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! with your hosts Karen and Anee! Today, we’re diving into workplace traditions—those established customs, norms, rituals, and habits that define an organization’s culture. When done well, they can boost morale, strengthen team cohesion, and enhance job satisfaction. But when done poorly, they can leave employees feeling excluded, pressured, or uncomfortable.In this episode, we discuss:The role of workplace traditions in shaping company cultureHow dominant cultural norms and power dynamics influence workplace ritualsThe risks of exclusionary traditions and how to create inclusive experiencesReal-world cases, including a French employee’s legal battle over workplace social eventsThe hidden power of workplace rituals and how they impact psychological safety and retentionPractical advice on assessing and evolving your workplace traditions to ensure they work for everyoneSome key takeaways are:Don’t assume all workplace rituals work for everyone – conduct an audit to understand employee experiences.Be intentional about refreshing traditions – cultures and teams evolve, so should traditions.Use traditions as a lever for engagement – when done well, they can drive a sense of belonging and performance.Resources:Vice Article: French Employee Fired for Not Participating in Social Events Wins CaseHarvard Business Review: The Hidden Power of Workplace Rituals by Erica KeswinDiscusses the three Ps of supportive company rituals and their impact on retention and psychological safety.Research on psychological safety and its connection to workplace culture and engagement.If you enjoyed this conversation, we’d love to hear from you!📩 Email us: [email protected]❤️ Follow: Connect with us on LinkedIn🎙 Subscribe: Follow Don’t Do That! on your favorite podcast platform.⭐ Leave a Review: Your feedback helps boost the show and lets others know what to expect.📢 Share: If you found today’s discussion insightful, pass it along to colleagues and friends!