Workplace Rituals and Organisational Culture

Outside of work — rituals are part of our everyday life. Even if you don’t follow a particular faith it’s likely friends, family and communities will come together to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and events like Bonfire Night or Halloween.

As humans we seek narratives — and rituals are a way of connecting with tradition and what’s gone before.

About ten years ago I had the opportunity to visit some of the very best companies — those renowned for their customer experience.

All of them had workplace rituals.

Celebration rituals.

New starter rituals.

Food sharing rituals.

Storytelling rituals.

Rituals are powerful drivers of culture, and should be nurtured carefully.

At Bromford we’ve developed all sorts of ritual, many of which seem odd if you’re new.

The concept of ‘Bromdays’ — where people are rewarded for their loyalty on anniversaries with gifts, a letter from the CEO, and additional holiday — is just one of them.

As someone who has just celebrated a major milestone, but also has a new team unfamiliar with many of our rituals, I was reminded this week of the importance of connecting with the past.

Far from being frivolous, rituals engage people in the behaviours that organisations wish to promote. They can instill a sense of shared purpose and experience.

If you don’t treat rituals with importance you risk being a place where the only thing people have got in common is the fact that they walk around on the same bit of carpet for 8 hours a day.