What makes a workplace truly thrive? More than policies or perks, it’s about whether core human needs—like trust, respect, and inclusion—are being met.
Looking at our work environment through the lens of shared needs can help us to make sense of what’s working and what’s not. It’s a manageable way to navigate everyday situations and strengthen workplace culture.
The video tip explores how you can use needs to better understand workplace dynamics, or the transcript is below.
💡 Want a printable needs list? Click here.
💭 Introduction: What makes a workplace truly thrive? Let’s take a look at workplace culture through the lens of needs.
💭 Main Tip: Workplace culture flourishes when core needs like trust, respect, and inclusion are consistently met. When these needs are addressed, people feel valued, safe, and motivated to contribute their best. Needs can be a simple but powerful lens to make sense of what is going on.
💭 Example: For example, in a team where people hesitate to share ideas, it may be that trust is lacking. But when a leader actively acknowledges everyone’s input—like saying, “Your perspective is valuable, even if we don’t agree on everything”—that’s a strategy that can build trust.
💭 Over to You: This week, choose one of these needs: trust, respect, or inclusion – whichever draws you. Take a moment to reflect on your workplace culture and observe how it’s playing out in your workplace. Where can you celebrate it being met? Where might it be missing? Sometimes, noticing patterns can help us see opportunities for change that are within our sphere of influence. And if we have issues with how more senior leaders are doing things, then the language of needs may help us to be heard when we engage with them.
💭 Closing: Let me know how you get on with this tip.
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