May ’25 – Developing Staff (and Workplace Culture)
Week 3 – Making workplace culture tangible with Maris Garcia
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Week 3 – Making workplace culture tangible with Maris Garcia
On Friday we dove into what it means to make culture tangible—beyond values on a poster or vibes in the break room.
With special guest Maris Garcia, we explored how culture shows up (or doesn’t) in the everyday structures, spaces, and decisions that shape our work lives. Drawing on her experience at Gravity Tank, Maris shared a framework that maps organizational values to specific cultural components like policies, project design, and even snack time. 🥨
Here’s what surfaced:
Culture is more than a feeling. It’s always present—whether it’s intentional or accidental. We talked about how even the layout of a workspace or the way meetings are run can either reinforce values or quietly erode them.
Celebration and socialization aren’t fluff. From fully stocked kitchens to daily snack rituals, we saw how casual moments can fuel connection, collaboration, and a sense of belonging—if they’re treated as strategic, not just nice-to-have.
Unstated values matter. Some of the strongest cultural forces aren’t written down. We named how over-delivering, perfectionism, or constant urgency can sneak in and shape behavior—sometimes misaligned with what’s officially prioritized.
Culture takes maintenance. Even intentional, values-based cultures need upkeep. We reflected on the need to regularly audit what we’re doing, notice what’s working (or not), and iterate over time.
People feel culture in the details. From how conflict is handled to whether leaders know their team’s names, seemingly small actions make a big impact.
It was a session full of reflection, honesty, and practical ideas. If you missed it, the replay is below:
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