One of us did a 15-day workout challenge in the thick of the holiday season at what is regarded as one of the most difficult workout studios in the country. Ten classes, fifteen days. The prize at the end?
Deodorant. And a sweatshirt.
You’re probably asking yourself if we’re crazy. But let us explain. People were taking class anywhere from 4 am to 11 pm. Twice a day. On weekends. And they were hyped about it. The studio was abuzz – everyone talking strategy, counting down classes, cheering each other on.
The challenge was hard. But it’s a place people love to be. Where everyone around you is showing up and pushing themselves, and that makes you want to push harder too. You’re surrounded by people who are all working toward something, and it raises the bar for everyone.
That’s what great culture feels like.
It’s the kind of place where people meet at 7:30 am on a Sunday (large coffees in hand) because they’re genuinely excited about a project. Where they take a meeting in the evening because they’ve been working toward it and can’t wait to close it. Where the goals are challenging, but the people around you make you want to rise to it.
You can’t mandate that from the top. Leadership can set the goals, but you can’t force people to rally around them.
So what actually works? Culture that’s designed intentionally. Where buy-in is voluntary but worth it. Where people genuinely want to be there, not because it’s easy, but because they’re surrounded by others who care just as much. Where the lighthearted stuff (puzzle contests, themed days, peer shoutouts) builds the foundation for tackling the hard stuff together.
And you protect it. The second a few people deem it “uncool”, it trickles down fast.
We didn’t work that hard for a sweatshirt. We worked that hard because everyone else was too.
Until next time,
Your Spherion South Central WI & Northern IL team