7 Proven Strategies to Transform Your Workplace Culture and Boost Morale
It’s the meeting that could have been an email.
The brainstorming session where one loud voice dominates.
The quarterly goal-setting workshop, where enthusiasm starts strong but fizzles into frustration.
Sound familiar?
Every workplace struggles with the same challenge: unlocking the potential of its people. Too many teams in this era of critical innovation and collaboration remain mired in a cycle of missed opportunities, untapped talent, and siloed thinking.
But here’s the good news:
your team already has what it takes to thrive.
They have the creativity, skills, and, yes, even the passion to help your business thrive.
I dedicated more than 15 years to revitalizing struggling hospitality properties, such as hotels, casinos, and restaurants, where teams were stuck in the past, doing the same thing they’ve always done and getting what they’ve always gotten. In every rescue, morale was low, disillusionment was high, and change seemed unattainable.
Funnily enough, as frustrated as the staff and leaders were with the ‘status quo,’ “Marc, we’ve tried everything, and nothing is working!” Every project began with the same obstacle: resistance to change.
When you’re parachuting into a workplace to redefine its culture, you quickly realize people don’t fear change itself—they fear what it means for them. I learned that before I could align a team, I had to first understand them: their goals, their fears, and what drove them to get out of bed every morning.
One property stands out in my memory. The staff was polite but distant. I’d walk into a workspace in the lunch room, and they would go silent (I thought I smelled funny!). They were so hesitant to speak up or share ideas. I noticed they were burnt out, worried about job security and the future, and skeptical of yet another “new manager with big plans.”
Instead of forcing change from the top down, I held a series of one-on-one conversations. My only question? “What’s one thing about your job that you’d change to make it better?”
The answers ranged from practical (“Can we get the broken ice machine fixed?”) to big-picture (“I’d love more training on handling bad customers”). What mattered more than anything was that they were finally sharing. By listening and acting on their feedback, I gained their trust and learned about their passions. Once trust was established, collaboration followed.
Marc Haine
In just six months, that same team transformed. Revenue increased, turnover decreased, and the staff took pride in the work we were doing together. It wasn’t because I had a magic wand—it was because we managed to tap into each member of the team’s superpower and leveraged the team’s collective goals while giving them a voice.
Remember those childhood class projects where everyone brought something to the table? Some were glue-wielding heroes, some idea-generating dynamos, and some just made snacks. It was chaos, but it worked. Fast-forward to today’s workplace, and it turns out the same principle applies—but with less glitter (usually).
The modern workplace thrives on the full participation of its people. Hands, minds, and hearts all need a seat at the table. But how do you encourage a “yes, and” culture in a room full of “no, but…” personalities?
Here’s how to embrace the quirks, brilliance, and humour of your team to make magic happen.
1. Diversity: The Secret Sauce Isn’t Just for Tacos 🌮
From brainstorming to execution, diversity makes the pie chart tastier. When you have a team with varied perspectives—introverts, extroverts, night owls, and spreadsheet fanatics—you’re setting the stage for creative problem-solving.
Pro Tip: Next time Cassandra points out 12 reasons why an idea won’t work, don’t roll your eyes—roll with it. Ask her how she’d adjust the idea. Even the most critical takes can uncover golden nuggets.
2. Collaboration: It’s Not Karaoke Without the Backup Singers 🎤
We’ve all been in meetings where only one person sings lead, drowning everyone else out. True collaboration happens when everyone—yes, even Steve from accounting—has a chance to contribute.
Try This: Use techniques like sticky-note storming or anonymous suggestion boards. It’s amazing how much brilliance pops up when people aren’t afraid to speak (or scribble).
3. Communication: Clear as a TikTok Tutorial, Please 📱
Great communication is like a well-crafted meme: it’s simple, direct, and lands with everyone. Whether you’re rolling out a new initiative or just asking for ideas, clarity is key. Don’t bury your ask in jargon—leave that for legal.
Quote of the Day: Albert Einstein once said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” If the genius himself kept it simple, so can you.
4. Active Listening: Shut Up and Listen (Lovingly) 👂
Active listening is the espresso shot of leadership—it’s strong, energizing, and wakes you up to what’s really happening. When your team talks, resist the urge to plan your next response. Instead, truly listen (remember the “yes, and…”?)
Self-Check: Did someone just give feedback you didn’t like? Good. Growth isn’t comfortable. But remember: “You can’t read the label from inside the jar.” Step outside your ego and see what your team sees.
5. Humour: The Unofficial Glue That Holds Us Together 😂
A little humour can transform a stressful project into a team triumph. Humour builds trust, diffuses tension, and reminds everyone why they love working together.
Case in Point: At one team retreat, someone suggested making a mission statement using only emojis. It was ridiculous—and exactly what we needed to spark creativity.
Marc talks with acclaimed Comedian and Connection Expert, Beth Sherman about what it takes to bring more humour into our workplaces.
6. Mentorship: Pass the Baton, Don’t Hog It 🏅
A workplace where knowledge-sharing is celebrated is a workplace where people stick around. Pair up seasoned veterans with eager learners and watch the sparks fly. In my keynote, I call this Legacy in Action.
Quick Win: Start a “reverse mentoring” program where younger employees teach seasoned pros the latest tech tools or cultural trends. Who says boomers and Gen Z can’t be BFFs? (Do they even say that anymore?)
7. Accountability: Ideas Are Easy. Execution Is Everything. 🛠️
Encouraging ideas is great, but remember to hold people accountable for them. Let your team know that their suggestions won’t vanish into a corporate black hole.
The Ask: When someone says, “We should try X,” reply with, “What does that look like?” It’s empowering and prevents ideas from floating off into dreamland.
Wrap-Up: You Set the Tone 🎵
Remember those meetings that could have been emails? The brainstorms where one voice drowns out the others? The quarterly goals that spark excitement but fade into frustration? Those challenges don’t have to define your workplace.
The best teams thrive in a culture of trust, creativity, and the occasional dad joke. By embracing diversity, collaboration, and active listening—and sprinkling in a little humour—you can transform those frustrating moments into opportunities for brilliance.
As a leader, you set the tone. The rhythm you create can either amplify your team’s collective genius or drown it out in a sea of sameness. The choice is yours.
So go ahead. Ask the questions, listen to the answers, and celebrate the quirks that make your team unique. Because when everyone brings their full selves to the table, your business doesn’t just survive—it thrives.
Henry Ford said it best: “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” Take it from him—and me. Now go make your workplace the hottest collab album of the year.
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