Go ask each of your team members: Walk me through what makes a good work day for you.*

This simple request will get to the heart of what’s important to your team from a culture experience – and it’s surprisingly more effective than “Do you like working here?”

Then show that you care about the answer:

Pay rapt attention. Take notes. Dig deeper. Ask for specifics. Ask for the top three.

Then consider and evaluate –

• Any patterns? Interesting one-offs?
• Is this type of work day regularly possible in your workplace?
• Does your team’s vision of a good work day match the type of work day you want in your workplace?
• Where is your culture out of alignment with what you would like to create on a daily basis?
• Where are team members’ expectations out of alignment with what’s possible and desired?

Chances are you will hear a variety of responses like:

• Start with a good strong cup of coffee with real cream.
• Unexpected distractions, chaos or crisis are kept at bay and I’m able to get done what I set out to do.
• We work together as team to come up with a creative solution – and potential solutions are considered.
• Meetings result in meaningful dialogue and real deal actionable outcomes.
• I can depend on my co-workers to carry their weight.
• I have a chance to both get my work done and connect with my co-workers.
• I make a difference for our clients.
• I contribute to the team in a meaningful way.
• People respond to my questions in a timely fashion so I can keep moving forward.
• I end the day with a sense of accomplishment and clarity on what I need to make happen tomorrow.

*Now I’m curious -- how would you answer this?

To take a more in-depth look at this and other enlightening workplace culture issues, check out Culture Works: How to Create Happiness in the Workplace. Both the book and the book/workbook set are available for purchase.