5 Steps to Become a Culture Champion

Does your team feel disconnected or uninspired at work? It's a common challenge that affects productivity and morale. The key to overcoming this is shifting the mindset of individuals who drive change. But how do you become the one who sparks that transformation? 

It starts with embodying certain qualities and taking intentional actions that not only shape your personal approach but can also influence the entire team dynamic. 

What Is A Culture Champion?

Everyone in the working world is somewhat aware of the buzzword ‘company culture’ and the fact that it is important, but what does it mean and how do you become a culture champion? There are many different definitions out there that tell part of the story. Some explain it by listing the component elements that impact culture such as: vision, values, norms, assumptions, beliefs, and habits. 

However, William Craig, when writing for Forbes, described company culture as ‘something that is pre-existing in your company’s genetic code; it’s not something that employees bring with them’. I like this!

Company culture has the power to strengthen or damage the company as it grows. Luckily, business leaders are able to shape culture and use it to leverage competitive advantage.

5 Key Strategies to Become a Culture Champion

Below is a list of 5 ways culture champions can cultivate a positive transformation:

1. Analyse it

As with all things you can’t manage something you don’t know or understand. Consequently, take stock regularly of the traits that emerge by taking time to look around and asking questions. Looking at things like how do your team treat each other or the attitudes they reflect while completing their work will give you an idea of the dominant culture in your business. 

2. Lead by example

This is a very important and important point. If you want to positively alter culture it can be hard work, as it requires a consistent leadership from those who have influence; think carefully as these leaders may not all be in management, however culture flows from the top.

When leading cultural change all eyes will be on you and while no one can be perfect all of the time, other team will pick up on the things that do not match up. Essentially you need to practice what you preach.

3. Foster it in your team

Culture is one of those things that cannot simply be taught or presented in a meeting. It’s like a plant that needs to be nurtured, cultivated, and grown. That’s why having a culture champion at work is so important—someone who actively reinforces and embodies company values. Developing a strong culture starts with understanding it and then encouraging it through positive reinforcement within individuals and team contexts.

Taking time out to organise team building activities and events fosters a team spirit, which is a key ingredient to developing an infectious culture. This can be achieved by scheduling a team activity each month, for example, where you eat together, go bowling or watch a movie. 

A simple thing like this can make all the difference. NB that is our very own Ed, Tara and Kat in the image above at Clerkenwell design week 2015, great day out!

4. Hire on culture 

Traditionally companies place almost all their hiring just on skill and experience, which to be absolutely clear is very important! However, we believe it is also essential to understand how a potential team member will fit with the company dynamic; one bad attitude can destroy a positive team culture in a snap.

At Hyper Creative we believe that you must be able to answer the following two questions before hiring anyone new.

• Can this person do the job?

• Is this person going to be a good fit with our team culture?

5. Reflect it in your workspace

Like in point number 2, it is important that you are authentic with your culture and live out what you say. This means having an office space that mirrors your culture and showcases what you are all about. For example, if you walked into a creative agency’s office space and you were met by a blank and boring office space would you have much confidence in their creative ability? No, I wouldn’t want to work there or use their services.

Your physical environment serves as a powerful tool to reflect your organisation's culture, showcasing who you are and what you stand for. Through thoughtful office design, you can communicate values to your team, visitors, and clients in a seamless, organic way.

A well-branded workplace also reinforces key aspects of culture-building, helping to create a competitive advantage. If you need any help with branding your office, check out our Office Branding service. However, if you need some inspiration take a look at our latest case studies. 

Characteristics of a Culture Champion

Highly effective culture champions:

• Act with Integrity: Stay honest, reliable, and committed to your promises.

• Embrace Change: Adapt and innovate to align teams toward shared goals.

• Build Trusted Relationships: Show empathy, foster mutual respect, and collaborate effectively.

• Inspire and Coach: Encourage growth, build confidence, and set others up for success.

• Demonstrate Passion and Courage: Reflect on personal habits, tackle challenges, and inspire others to do the same.

• Lead with Consistency: Align decisions with values and ensure goals are visualised and achieved.

• Ensure Accountability: Hold others to team values, celebrate wins, and address issues when necessary.

The Four Key C's of Culture Champions

Once you've identified individuals with these eight qualities, focus on ensuring they embody conviction, courage, clarity, and consistency.

• Conviction: To champion culture effectively, you must believe in its power to impact employee engagement and business success. Your genuine commitment inspires others to follow.

• Courage: Changing ingrained habits, values, and routines is tough, but it’s possible. A culture champion needs the bravery to make hard decisions and lead change confidently.

• Clarity: Clear communication is vital. Explain why cultural change matters—not just for the company but for everyone’s wellbeing—and help others visualise and commit to shared goals.

• Consistency: Building a high-performance culture takes time. Culture champions must focus on key behaviours, align rewards, and ensure everyone stays on track.

Build a Purpose-Driven Workplace That Inspires

A strong company culture starts with trust, intention, and authenticity. Culture champions lead with conviction, clarity, and courage, inspiring teams to grow and embrace shared values. By nurturing team dynamics, hiring purposefully, and reflecting culture in your workspace, you create an environment where collaboration and success thrive. 

Every action shapes the organisation’s spirit—step up, take the lead, and build a culture that transforms your workplace into something truly extraordinary. Transform your workspace to reflect your company culture with Hyper Creative. We specialise in office branding that inspires and aligns with your values. From design to installation, we create environments that encourage collaboration and creativity. Contact us now! 

Key Takeaways 

• Culture begins with leadership: Leaders champion values by aligning actions with organisational principles, fostering a positive environment, and implementing culture champion ideas that reinforce those values daily.

• Team engagement is essential: Creating a culture of collaboration requires deliberate efforts, like team-building activities and hiring a cultural champion who embodies shared values.

• Workspace reflects culture: A thoughtfully designed office mirrors company values, reinforcing creativity, collaboration, and the team’s identity.