The Power of a Constructive Culture: Insights from Dattner Group
We are Dattner Group (DG), a consultancy specialising in organisational culture, leadership development and the elevation of the visibility of women. Recently we received a prestigious accolade that affirms our commitment to fostering a positive work environment.
An Award-Winning Culture
A few weeks ago, Human Synergistics, one of our key diagnostics partners, awarded DG with a constructive culture award. This recognition is given to organisations that demonstrate all four constructive styles in their Organisational Culture Inventory (OCI) above the 50th percentile, while maintaining the eight defensive styles below the 50th percentile on average.
This achievement not only validates our efforts in cultivating a strong internal culture but also reinforces our dedication to practicing what we preach.
Personal Reflections on a Constructive Culture
As I gazed at the beautifully blue circumplex representing our culture, I found myself contemplating what it truly means to be part of a team committed to being constructive. This reflection highlighted the profound impact that culture has on organisational success.
For me, our constructive culture:
- Opens up limitless possibilities for contributing to the organisation’s growth
- Fosters engagement and passion for achieving our mission
- Allows me to bring my authentic self to work without fear of retribution
- Ensures my voice is heard and my suggestions are thoughtfully considered
Team Perspectives
Curious about my colleagues’ experiences, I conducted a quick poll on Teams. Here’s what some team members had to say about working in our constructive culture:
“The culture we have at DG means I feel incredibly safe to speak up about anything. I know that everyone in our team comes from a place of good intention and an achievement-oriented mindset.”
– Katie Beckwith, Client Services Manager
“We can challenge one another without fear or favour. We’re always still learning, and so difficult conversations, while sometimes, well, difficult, are always engaged with in the spirit of growth.”
– Zoe Dattner, Director
“As a neurodivergent person, it used to feel like the walls of my workplace were closing in on me, like conformity was the only possibility. But then I joined DG and finally felt like I belonged in my workplace. There is something so inspiring about a workplace culture that empowers you to be your exceptional, unique self.”
Melissa Watson, Client Services Diagnostics & Office Support
“The respect, trust and inclusivity that the DG culture provides, motivates me to be the best that I can be both in my professional and personal life. I love that my children see this and understand from a young age how the sense of belonging to and working as a team, makes work and life more enjoyable and rewarding”
– Ally Pilbeam, Client Services Assistant
“Our culture helps to promote both personal growth and team success. It creates a space where we can grow, innovate, and take calculated risks in a safe environment.”
– Michelle Foster, Director Consulting
The Value of Investing in Culture
If you’re questioning whether investing in culture and creating alignment across all divisions of your organisation is worthwhile, consider this: Ask everyone in your organisation, from entry-level employees to top executives, a simple question: “What does it feel like to work here?”
Then, reflect on their responses and consider how you would like them to feel. The gap between these two perspectives can guide your cultural development efforts.
By prioritising a constructive culture, you’re not just investing in your employees’ wellbeing – you’re laying the foundation for long-term organisational success. After all, organisations are the sum of the people who work there. When you commit to nurturing your people, the results will inevitably show in your organisational outcomes.
To find out how we can support you to create a constructive culture click here.
