Workplace culture is influenced by both visible and invisible factors. These unspoken rules shape how we fit into our roles, interact with others, and perform in our jobs. Use this guide to discuss these rules with your mentor or mentee and explore how different workplaces and sectors may vary.
Tip: Cultural differences are not just global; they also exist between organizations, departments, and even individual teams.
Discussion Guide
Below are prompts and questions for discussing the unspoken rules in different areas of a workplace. Consider if any rules differ between sectors or organizations.
Boardroom
- How can people show respect and interest during a team meeting? Is it appropriate to disagree openly?
- Is it acceptable to admit if you don’t know something?
- How much emotion, such as happiness or frustration, is acceptable to show in meetings?
- What level of preparation is expected before a team meeting? Is it okay to ask questions or brainstorm ideas on the spot?
Kitchen and Break Room
- What topics are suitable for small talk? How much personal information should you share at work?
- Is it common to socialize with people from other departments during breaks?
- Are there expectations to join social committees or attend after-work events?
- Is the break room a place where informal networking can happen, or is it primarily for relaxation?
Offices (Managers)
- How involved should a manager be in the day-to-day work of their team?
- What does collaboration look like between managers? How often do they share resources or information?
- Is it common for managers to share some aspects of their personal lives with staff? How much should staff know about their manager?
- How are decisions typically made by managers? Is there a preference for consensus or individual decision-making?
Cubicles (Reporting Staff)
- What things or spaces are shared among colleagues, and what is considered personal?
- What does being a supportive colleague mean? Are there certain actions or behaviors that show teamwork?
- How frequently should team members check in with each other when collaborating?
- Are there clear boundaries between roles, or do team members often help each other beyond job descriptions?
Reception
- When greeting someone for the first time, what should you do to make a positive impression?
- How important is it to connect with new clients beyond the formal business context?
- How should someone behave when waiting for a meeting in the reception area? Is it appropriate to start small talk with the receptionist?
- What are common ways to show courtesy and professionalism in a reception area?
Additional Reflection Questions
- What unspoken rules have you noticed in previous workplaces that helped or hindered your ability to fit in?
- Are there any communication styles or practices that are encouraged in one workplace but not another?
- What norms have you observed around collaboration, decision-making, and conflict resolution?
- How do organizations handle recognition or appreciation for individual and team contributions?