What happens when you realise that the work you do no longer inspires you, and the people you do it for gradually lose your respect because their decisions go against what you strongly believe in? When the best possible customer service undoubtedly requires much more thought and attention than the sloppy and superficial work that your bosses ask you to produce? “It’s the logic of the market,” you hear them reply when you try to question them about certain hasty and poorly thought-out decisions. “You have to do everything and do it quickly.” “It’s the way it is, just accept it.” And you accept it. You try to live with it because it’s easier to go with the flow, not make too much noise, and keep working this way rather than finding yourself having to look for another job.

So you adapt to the status quo and the existing organisational culture, despite feeling the tension within you between the reality of your daily work and your aspirations, between what you’re asked to do and what you think is right, between rushing to finish a task ‘for yesterday’ and your willingness to think it through a bit more and take the time necessary to complete the task as professionally and thoroughly as possible. I don’t’ need to stress the medium- and long-term emotional, physical, and psychological consequences of this internal tension for the individual in this situation. What strikes me as ironic is that organisations where these individuals are not the exception but the rule find themselves with a workforce that performs poorly and produces poor products, in an environment of varying degrees of relational toxicity, demotivation, disengagement, wasted energy and resources, chronic fatigue, and indifference. Such an organisational culture works against true effectiveness and productivity. It’s time to stop and contribute proactively and determinedly to changing a work culture in which working is no longer inspiring, and to rethink the world of work in terms that are certainly more humane but also more effective.

On an individual level, I think it’s important to find within ourselves the strength and courage to question this status quo and not take for granted that such a culture cannot be changed. I would start with a deep reflection on what’s important to me and what my personal and professional values ​​are. I would search within myself for the triggers that make me get up in the morning and embrace my work with enthusiasm and a desire to do well. I would redefine the contribution I want to make to my colleagues, to the organisation I work for, and to society at large. Once this is done, I would compare it with the reality in which I live and work, and if there are any discrepancies, I would ask myself what I can do to change things.

• I would start reflecting on my own behaviour, how I interact with others and how I make them feel, what expectations I have of them and to what extent these expectations are aligned with the work environment I aspire to work in.
• I would consult with the people I work with and reflect with them on alternative approaches and new ways of working together so that we all feel that we are part of something meaningful and right for us.
• I would then involve my direct boss in this reflection, and the bosses of other colleagues who experience the same situation.

At the organisational level, if I were part of the Leadership Team, I would use my experience and credibility to positively influence decisions and strategies to build a culture where our workforce is proud and satisfied of working for us and with us. I would do exactly what I would do if I were just another employee at a lower level in the organisational hierarchy:

• I would start reflecting on my own behaviour, how I interact with others and how I make them feel, what expectations I have of them and to what extent these expectations are aligned with the work environment I aspire to work in.
• I would engage my direct boss and my peers in open discussions to find alternative approaches and new ways of working with each other and with the people who report to us.

I would also remind myself that my job title and the power that comes with it do not mean much if that power is not used to create something good and meaningful. I would challenge the “That’s just the way it is” attitude and I would proactively do all I can to bring about change that has a positive impact on people.

If I were part of Human Resources, I would fully embrace my role as champion of employee well-being and launch a profound organisational reflection on the values ​​of our existing culture we want to uphold and the values ​​we want to integrate to become increasingly resilient, creative, and innovative. All of this in accordance with our belief that together we are stronger, and to act together we must create spaces for reflection and discussion where each individual has the opportunity to express themselves and contribute the richness of their differences. Here again, I would start reflecting on myself and the role I play at every single interaction. I would involve the entire Leadership Team in a deep reflection on how we can build a workplace where everyone can and wants to contribute to make it better. I would challenge the “That’s just the way it is” attitude and I would proactively do all I can to bring about positive change.

When it comes to cultural change, as external consultants, trainers, and coaches, we also have our responsibility and an important role to play. The way we interact with our clients, participants and coachees already sets the tone for the change of attitude and behaviour we advocate for.  We need to position ourselves clearly and constantly challenge the “That’s just the way it is” attitude we are very often confronted with. We have the skills, attitude and capacity to create the opportunity and the space for a deep reflection on how people can work together differently and contribute to building work environments where profit, benefits and success are not just counted in money.

Changing a work environment and culture is certainly no easy feat, but it doesn’t have to be one of those beautiful stories you find in movies or a Netflix series. We all have a role to play, and if we do it together, the task is certainly more accessible and achievable.