3 quick ways to evaluate your culture

In today’s fast-paced world of work, culture isn’t static—it’s evolving constantly. As a leader or manager, one of the most valuable things you can do is pause, take a step back, and evaluate how your culture is shaping the way people feel, think, and act at work.

But how do you do that without launching a full-scale survey or engaging a consultant?

Here are three quick, practical ways to get under the skin of your culture—without needing extra tools or systems.

1. Listen at Key Moments

Some moments speak louder than others when it comes to culture. Think about when people join your team, move roles, or go through major life stages (like parental leave or caring responsibilities). These are "moments that matter"—and how people feel during them says a lot about your culture.

💬 Try this: Ask new joiners early on:

“How does it feel to be here? What does the culture say to you?”

Then reflect with your team:

“When people make mistakes, what happens here?”

“How do we support people going through change?”

These small but timely check-ins offer powerful clues about your team’s unwritten rules, expectations, and norms.

2. Pay Attention to the Words People Use

You don’t need advanced tech to do a sentiment analysis. Just start by noticing what people are saying—formally and informally—about your culture.

Look at:

• Engagement surveys

• Exit interviews

• Glassdoor reviews

• Internal chat threads

🔍 Pay attention to the language.

Are people using words like “supportive,” “fast-paced,” “competitive,” “collaborative”?

These words reveal values, unspoken norms, and expectations that shape your environment.

💡 Tip: Map these insights against your stated values. Are they aligned—or is there a gap?

3. Walk Through Your Environment (Physically or Digitally)

Take a step back and view your space—through the eyes of a visitor or new starter. Whether it’s a physical office or digital workspace, what does it say about your culture?

👀 Consider:

• What’s on the walls?

• Where do people eat or take breaks?

• Is there space for focus?

• What’s rewarded in meetings—ideas, hierarchy, challenge?

Even the act of eating lunch at your desk (or not) can tell you something about cultural norms. Asking others for their first impressions can uncover insights you might overlook day-to-day.

Key Takeaways for Leaders

✅ Culture isn’t what you say—it’s what people experience

✅ Notice how your environment, behaviours, and habits are shaping culture

✅ Start small: Listen, observe, and have open conversations with your team

If you're ready to go deeper, members of the Make It Human Club can access our Culture Resource Library—full of practical tools to help you evaluate and shape culture, including:

🛠️ Diagnostic tools

📊 Sentiment check guides

📖 Culture walkthrough worksheets

📹 Short learning videos

👉 Join the Club and explore the library at www.make-it-human.com/members

This blog is based on a recent Coffee & Culture session.

Watch back the recording below and join the next session live—download the invite below!