You're sensing a disconnect from company culture. How can you bridge the gap?

Post covid all things have become vague. Though WFH has its own pros but comes with some cons as well. One of them is feeling disconnected with the organization or its culture. One should take time to understand difference between company's values and personal values. Seek help from peers or colleagues for guidance; participate in company cultural activities & build relationships with coworkers to learn more about their experience in the work culture. One should view this as an open minded approach filled with curiosity to know the surroundings. Participating in as much training/workshops will help to deepen your connection with organizational view. Seek feedback from your peers/colleagues/mentor who are guiding you to feel connected.

1. Talk to colleagues, managers, or HR about your observations and concerns. 2. Deepen your knowledge of the company's mission, vision, and values. 3. Ask for feedback on how your behavior aligns with company culture. 4. Engage in social activities to connect with colleagues. 5. Stay updated on company initiatives and changes. 6. Seek guidance from someone who embodies the company culture. 7. Cultural change takes time. Celebrate small steps forward.

Bridging a disconnect from company culture requires a strategic approach to align employees with the organization's values, practices, and goals. Here’s how you can address and bridge this gap effectively: 1. Assess the Disconnect Gather Feedback Surveys and Interviews: Conduct employee surveys or interviews to understand their perceptions of the company culture and identify areas of disconnect. Focus Groups: Organize focus groups with diverse teams to discuss cultural gaps and gather qualitative insights.

The first step to bridging the gap is understanding the culture itself. What are the core values of the company? How are these values reflected in day-to-day operations and interactions? Sometimes, the disconnect arises not from the culture itself, but from a misunderstanding or misalignment with it. Take a step back and observe. Look at how leaders communicate, how decisions are made, and how success is celebrated. Are these practices in line with the stated values of the company? Sometimes, the culture might have evolved without you realizing it, or perhaps the company’s growth has led to shifts in the cultural landscape. Understanding the current culture is crucial before taking any further steps.

As a Corporate Soft Skills Trainer, I often see people feel disconnected from the company culture—it’s a common experience, but it can be addressed. Start by reflecting on why you feel this way. Understanding your emotions is key. Then, reconnect with your original purpose—what drew you to the company? Revisiting your “why” can rekindle your passion.Engage in open conversations with your colleagues and leaders. Clear, honest communication can help you feel heard and more connected. Also, participate in team activities to strengthen relationships. If you see room for improvement, take initiative—small changes can create a more positive, inclusive culture.

Feeling disconnected? You’re likely not alone. Open dialogue is a powerful tool to reconnect with the company culture. Start by having conversations with colleagues, managers, or even HR. Express your feelings openly, but in a constructive manner. Ask questions about how others perceive the culture and whether they feel the same disconnect. Sometimes, it’s through these conversations that you realize the culture isn’t as foreign as it seems, or you might uncover underlying issues that need addressing. These dialogues can also lead to valuable feedback that helps you and others find common ground. The key is to approach these discussions with an open mind and a genuine desire to understand and reconnect.

Engage in open and honest communication. Create a safe space where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns. Start by initiating conversations with your team to understand their perspectives—what's going on in their world that might be contributing to this disconnect? It could be changes in the organization, unclear expectations, or personal challenges. Once you've gathered insights, address the issues transparently. Acknowledge the disconnect and express your commitment to bridging the gap. Collaboratively develop strategies to realign the team with the company's values and goals. This might involve revisiting communication practices, reinforcing shared values, or providing additional support where needed.

While assessing the company culture, it’s also important to reflect on your own values and how they align with the company’s. What are your personal work ethics? What kind of environment helps you thrive? Sometimes, the disconnect stems from internal changes—perhaps your values or career goals have evolved. Take some time to reflect on what’s important to you and how that fits into the current culture. This reflection can help you determine whether the culture has truly shifted away from what you value or if there are ways to adjust your perspective to better align with the company’s direction.

Once you have a clear understanding of the culture and have done some personal reflection, it’s time to create an action plan. If there are specific areas where you feel disconnected, what steps can you take to bridge that gap? This might involve seeking out projects that align more closely with your values, engaging more actively in company events, or even suggesting initiatives that reinforce the culture. An action plan should be practical and specific. Set small, achievable goals that will help you reconnect with the culture over time. Remember, bridging this gap is a gradual process, and it’s about making consistent efforts to realign yourself with the company’s values and practices.

Be transparent and get everyone involved, ideas should come from everyone and should not be a memo from the leadership team. Getting buy-in is vital to success.

You don’t have to go through this process alone. Lean on your support networks within the company. Whether it’s a mentor, a peer group, or even a work buddy, these networks can provide valuable insights, encouragement, and guidance as you work to reconnect with the culture. Support networks can also offer different perspectives on the culture, helping you see things you might have missed. They can reinforce the positive aspects of the culture and remind you why you joined the company in the first place. Sometimes, just knowing that others are there for you can make a huge difference in how connected you feel.