CASE STUDY: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF WORK

BACKGROUND — The client’s situation

A Climate-focused National Laboratory team of 200 scientists seeks to build its culture and come back to the office in a way that works for everyone.  After the COVID pandemic, organizational leaders saw that early career scientists were not getting mentored because most people were still working from home.  They wanted to build their culture but also have strategic conversations about their basic business model.  While they had done surveys about returning to work, they didn’t know how to do that in a way that actually builds the culture and doesn’t risk alienating key talent.

OUR APPROACH — Strategic consulting and setting goals

Assessment: 

• We carried out in-depth culture assessment by doing focus groups and interviews with 49 people with questions about the current culture, ideal culture, and return to work desires.

• We also held a series of 5 strategy meetings with the leadership to map the current strengths and challenges and define a strategy for success.

Alignment:

• During the EESA Culture Summit, 200 scientists and staff came together to hear the results of the culture assessment, and co-create a Journey Map that aligns strategy, culture, and DEIB.

Activation:

• We convened a group of Culture Champions who crafted “We Statements” that describe their desired culture

• The team also produced a series of “Return to Work Rituals” that improved the experience of coming back to the office with  coordinated scheduling, “big question collaboration” days, and connection opportunities.

OUTCOME — Results and looking ahead 

The team emerged with a clear Journey Map for the next two years that aligns strategy with the key enablers of culture and DEIB, and the organization reports improved employee engagement, a more positive culture, and clarity about how to succeed together.