Culture is not an outcome—it is an intentional act of leadership. Culture isn’t created by fancy perks or company slogans, it’s built through consistent actions. Leaders shape it every day by how they treat people, make decisions, and live out the organization’s values.
A recent conversation hosted by SHRM and O. C. Tanner on “Designing Intentional Workplace Cultures Where Employees Thrive” reinforced this truth with refreshing clarity.
Thriving vs. Surviving
As Candy Fernandez – Director, People & Great Work - Middle East, Africa & South Asia O.C. Tanner rightly said, “thriving and surviving are not constants—there are moments of both. What matters is ensuring thriving outweighs surviving.” This captures the essence of modern workplaces. Employees will face challenges, but cultures that provide the right environment help people recover, learn, and come back stronger.
The Role of Psychological Safety
Manu M. – Vice President & Head People & Culture - Digital & IT Volvo Group underscored the importance of authenticity with his powerful reminder: “Psychological safety is when I’m allowed to be me.” In my experience, organizations that foster such safety unlock innovation and collaboration. When employees feel they can contribute without fear, they push boundaries that fuel progress.
Recognition that Truly Matters
Recognition is too often reduced to programs or monetary rewards. Nanjappa B.S – Senior VP HR Infosys brought us back to the fundamentals, recalling Maya Angelou’s words: “People will never forget how you made them feel.” He stressed that recognition must be personal, consistent, and even celebrate learning from failure. This is the kind of recognition that reinforces values and sustains trust.
Anchors of a Thriving Culture
Boishakhi Banerjee – Head People & Culture, Voltas distilled the foundation into three essentials: purpose, connection, and growth. As she put it, “Thriving is a feeling, not a metric.” Purpose gives employees clarity, connection provides belonging, and growth ensures they see a future within the organization. Together, these create a culture where employees don’t just stay—they flourish.
Also Read: From Overwhelmed to Empowered: Breaking the Burnout Cycle
The Leadership Imperative
What struck most was the collective emphasis on intentionality. Thriving cultures don’t emerge from policies or perks; they emerge from leaders who model empathy, resilience, and purpose. They are built through rituals, values, and recognition systems that align with the employee experience we want to create.
Key Takeaways for Leaders
Thriving must outweigh surviving—it’s about recovery and resilience.
Psychological safety is the bedrock of trust and innovation.
Recognition must be authentic, personal, and tied to values.
Purpose, connection, and growth are non-negotiable anchors.
Leaders carry the responsibility to design culture, not leave it to chance.
In the end, we must all ask ourselves: Are we creating workplaces where people merely survive or where they truly thrive?
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