What is culture engineering?
My friend Jorge and I started a web design company when we were 18. That same year we launched an arts nonprofit… IRS certified and all.
The concept of bringing smart people together to grow an idea has always fascinated me. At such a young age, selling websites to clients twice or triple our age was thrilling. Producing entirely student-run arts events without adult oversight remains one of my proudest accomplishments.
Both endeavours closed down after college. From there I landed at Disney|ABC Television. Jorge is currently doing great work at Karhoo in London.
Just over a year ago I started new job at Disney. Up until two weeks ago, I was still figuring out how to describe what I do. When someone asked, I would stumble awkwardly through a laundry list of things:
One part business strategy. Another part org development. Culture. Inclusion. Engagement. Creativity. Innovation. Trying to improve the workplace…
Last week I watched a Google re:Work talk by Astro* Teller, head of X at Alphabet. In it, he calls himself a culture engineer:
“Culture engineering is the process of actually trying to cause what [your teams] do to line up with your lip service.”
Suddenly, my previous year of work made sense. This is what I’ve been doing!
To further explain, Astro talks about innovation and failure. Globally, many companies are emphasizing the importance of innovation in the workplace. They encourage employees to innovate through special corporate initiatives. “Fail fast and fail often!” posters line the hallways.
Yet most companies fail to create environments that encourage and reward this type of behavior.
Employees who do innovate watch those whom do not receive bonuses and promotions. Or worse, they’re punished for failing.
This is the lip service Astro speaks of. Saying one thing, but doing another.
My job is to close the gap between what we say as a company and what we do.
I am a culture engineer (thanks Astro!). This publication will feature anecdotes and learnings from on the job and in my secondary research.
As recently as a few years ago, I never would have guessed that culture engineering would become a passion. But looking back, the dots connect beautifully. Running my own organizations gave me an appreciation and respect for business. Working for a large corporation has opened my eyes to the importance culture.
Culture is everything.
*Yes, I think it’s an epic name too. I recently learned in Laszlo Bock’s book Work Rules! Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead that Astro’s real name is Eric. He was bestowed the nickname “Astro” in high school, after a new hair cut resembled AstroTurf. It stuck.
