3 ways to create a work culture that brings out the best in people

Sometimes, employees will raise issues that leader's don't agree with. At that moment, leaders can choose what kind of culture they will have.

At a minimum, we can have a dialogue. We can try to find some common ground. If that is not possible:

• Employees can choose to leave the company.
• They can continue to do a good job and wait to discuss the problem another time.
• They can respectfully acknowledge their differences and agree to keep working on the issue.

Just trying to avoid checkouts and walkouts is setting a low bar. We can strive for more by inviting people to bring their whole selves to work. We are more than the sum of our resumes.

When everyone can bring the entirety of life experiences, they can increase what they have to offer.

On Monday morning, talk to ten different people at your organisation and ask them in person or online:

"What don't we talk about around here that we should be talking about?"

You may get awkward silence at first, but later people will probably come back to you with an answer. By asking this question, you have created an openness to keep asking questions.