We talk a lot about positive culture in workplaces, but what does that actually mean?
Culture doesn’t just come from a vision, a mission statement, or a list of values.
Nor is it a morning tea, a team-building day, or a celebration of success.
It’s how people behave when no one’s watching, how we respond under pressure, and how we treat each other when things go wrong.
At WARN International, we approach culture through the lens of neuroscience and behavioural awareness.
A truly positive culture starts with individuals understanding their own triggers, emotional responses, and patterns of behaviour.
You can’t dictate culture, but you can promote it, model it, and call out poor practices when they arise.
So how do we change culture?
Here are 5 practical steps we use to build inclusive, engaging, and resilient teams:
1. Name it to tame it - Teach people to recognise their emotional triggers and to control them.
2. Model micro-moments of safety – Culture changes through small, consistent actions. A calm tone, a genuine check-in, or a pause before reacting can rewire team dynamics.
3. Call out the behaviour, not the people – Use language that separates the person from the action. This promotes accountability without shame and encourages growth over defensiveness.
4. Create space for genuine conversations – Psychological safety isn’t built in meetings; it is built in moments of vulnerability. Make room for people to speak up, share ideas, and to admit mistakes.
5. Reward the right things – Recognise behaviours that align with your values, not just performance outcomes. What gets rewarded gets repeated.
Culture isn’t a one-off initiative. It’s a living system, a moving phenomenon, a continuous process.
Culture is largely about people’s behaviour; it is the biggest driver.
Change the behaviour to change the culture, one small step at a time, just as we do when changing our own behaviour.
Let’s talk!
Workplace Culture!