Positive Workplace Culture and Coaching

"Culture is the deeper level of basic assumptions and beliefs that are shared by members of an organization, that operate unconsciously, and that define in a basic 'taken for granted' fashion an organization's view of its self and its environment." - Edgar Schein

Edgar Schein is a prominent organizational psychologist and a well-known scholar in the field of organizational culture. While he has written extensively on a range of topics related to culture and organizations, his work on positive workplace culture is particularly relevant.

This quote by Edgar Schein emphasizes the concept of organizational culture and its significance in shaping an organization's view of itself and its environment. Schein argues that culture operates at a deeper level than the visible and tangible aspects of an organization, such as its structure, policies, and practices.

According to Schein, culture is made up of basic assumptions and beliefs that are shared by members of an organization. These assumptions and beliefs are often unconscious, meaning that employees may not be aware of them or be able to articulate them. However, they play a significant role in shaping employee behavior and the overall functioning of the organization.

Schein also emphasizes that culture defines an organization's view of itself and its environment in a basic "taken for granted" fashion. This means that the assumptions and beliefs that make up an organization's culture are so deeply ingrained that they are often not questioned or challenged. They are simply accepted as the way things are. 

Schein's main research on positive workplace culture focuses on the role of culture in creating a supportive and positive work environment. One of Schein's key contributions to the study of organizational culture is his "levels of culture" framework, which outlines three levels of culture: artifacts and behaviors, espoused values, and underlying assumptions.

• Artifacts and behaviors are the visible and tangible aspects of culture, such as dress code, office layout, and communication patterns.

• Espoused values are the beliefs and principles that guide behavior, while

• Underlying assumptions are the unspoken and often unconscious beliefs and attitudes that shape behavior.

A positive workplace culture is one in which employees feel valued, supported, and respected. It's an environment where people feel motivated and inspired to do their best work, and where collaboration, communication, and teamwork are encouraged.

In order to create a positive workplace culture, Schein argues that organizations must address culture at all three levels. This includes not only promoting positive behaviors and espoused values, but also identifying and addressing underlying assumptions that may be hindering a positive workplace culture.

Schein underscores the importance of leaders taking an active role in shaping organizational culture and promoting a positive environment for employees to thrive in.

By recognizing the underlying assumptions and beliefs that shape an organization's culture, leaders can work to foster a culture that supports the well-being and success of employees, and that aligns with the organization's goals and values.

It is not easy for leaders to create a positive workplace culture. Coaching could be the support they need to have things done.

How can coaches help leaders and groups create a positive workplace culture?

In a number of ways, coaching can be a valuable tool for creating a positive working culture:

Developing leadership skills: Coaching can help leaders develop the skills they need to lead and motivate their teams effectively. By improving their communication, emotional intelligence, and leadership styles, coaches can help leaders create a more positive and supportive workplace culture.

Identifying and addressing issues: Coaches can help identify areas of the workplace culture that may be causing problems, such as communication breakdowns, conflicts between team members, or a lack of clarity around expectations. Once these issues are identified, coaches can help develop strategies to address them and create a more positive culture.

Encouraging growth and development: Coaches can work with employees to help them identify their strengths and weaknesses and develop plans for professional growth and development. This can help employees feel more engaged and motivated in their work, which can contribute to a more positive workplace culture.

Fostering open communication: Coaching can help employees and leaders develop better communication skills, which can lead to more open and honest communication throughout the organization. This can help build trust and create a more positive workplace culture.

Creating accountability: Coaches can help employees and leaders set goals and establish accountability mechanisms to ensure they follow through on their commitments. This can help build a culture of accountability, where people take responsibility for their actions and work together to achieve shared goals.