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The Culture Conversation Has Changed 

For years, organizational culture was seen as something intangible, important, but not urgent. Today, that perception is shifting fast. 

From supply chain disruptions to workforce shortages, Alberta businesses are facing pressures that demand agility, trust, and innovation. But here's the truth, you can't have those things without a strong internal culture. 

Culture isn't a buzzword, it's a strategic lever that drives performance, retention, and long-term success. 

People Are Looking for More Than a Paycheque 

Across sectors, employees are re-evaluating what they need to be happy and fulfilled. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 70% of workers report that workplace stress affects their mental health, and many are prioritizing environments where they feel safe, respected, and included [^1]. 

For Edmonton businesses navigating remote, hybrid, or frontline realities, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Investing in a culture that supports access, psychological safety and inclusion doesn’t just make people feel good, it directly impacts your bottom line. 

Culture Builds Resilience in Uncertain Times 

We’ve seen it repeatedly; businesses that intentionally invest in culture are the ones that adapt and rebound more quickly during change. They communicate better. They retain their people. They spark new ideas. 

It’s not about having all the answers, it’s about creating space where people can contribute, connect, and innovate. Culture is your infrastructure for resilience. 

Ask yourself: 

• Are we doing business in a way that reduces burnout? 

• Are our values reflected in how we lead, hire, and grow? 

• Do our people feel seen and supported? 

These questions are not soft, they're strategic. 

Practical Steps to Start Now 

If you're ready to strengthen your workplace culture, start with these three steps: 

1. Listen to your people. Use pulse surveys, 1:1 conversation, or facilitated sessions to uncover what’s working and what isn’t. 

1. Invest in skills that matter. Emotional intelligence, bias intervention, and empathy are not just topics, they're performance drivers. 

1. Build accountability. Set culture goals for individual performers and teams, alongside financial ones. What gets measured, improves. 

 

What’s at Stake—and What’s Possible 

Avoiding culture work today doesn’t save you money, it costs you in turnover, disengagement, and missed opportunities. On the flip side, companies who prioritize people and purpose are building something powerful. a future-ready organization. 

That’s the future Alberta businesses deserve.  

And it starts here, with each of us. 

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going 

How is your organization intentionally shaping its culture this year? What challenges or breakthroughs have you experienced along the way? 

Author Bio:
Tiffany Connauton is the Founder and CEO of Beyond Diversity Inc., an Alberta-based consulting firm that helps organizations transform workplace culture through human-centered learning and strategy. Tiffany brings a blend of lived experience, business acumen, and design to her work. Reach out to our team today at admin@beyonddiversityinc.com or Learn more at www.beyonddiversityinc.com  

 

1. https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/what-we-do/workplace/#:~:text=Seventy%20per%20cent%20of%20Canadian,healthy%20or%20safe%20at%20all.