Building a positive workplace culture is a priority for people-centric organizations, yet many still fall short. Steve Sorenson, Senior Director of Learning and Culture at Johnsonville, provides a compelling case study on how to cultivate such an environment. Through his appearance on the humanscape podcast, Steve shared valuable insights into Johnsonville’s approach to fostering a learning and coaching culture within a company of over 2,000 team members. Here are some key takeaways from that conversation.

Steve identifies a significant issue in today’s workplace: a sense of disconnection among employees. The shift to remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated feelings of isolation. His observation is that this disconnection isn’t just a professional phenomenon but also a societal one, influenced by the increasing reliance on digital communication. “We’ve become a more electronic society where I see my kids… they’re texting their friends back and forth or it’s through Instagram,” he explains. He believes this shift can lead to a lack of deeper, more meaningful interactions when together.

To help combat disconnection in the workplace, Johnsonville emphasizes building a positive workplace culture where managers act as coaches. The vision is that “every coach is striving to be the coach they wish they had.” This means setting an example through inspiration, embodying the company’s core values (also known as the Johnsonville Way), and engaging team members actively.

At Johnsonville, managers are developed into coaches, reflecting the company’s commitment to learning and development. Steve describes his role around this as ensuring that senior leaders exemplify the Johnsonville Way, which is rooted in superlative performance, continuous learning, and community values such as “love your neighbor.” These principles are not just slogans but are integral to building a positive workplace culture and enhancing Johnsonville’s operations and interactions.

Steve highlights the importance of modeling desired behaviors as well. If leaders encourage open communication but then react negatively when employees approach senior executives, it sends a contradictory message. Consistency in behavior and reinforcement of cultural values is crucial.

Assimilating new team members into Johnsonville’s coaching culture can vary based on each of those team member’s previous work experiences. Steve admits there is no “magic pill” for instant cultural integration. However, Johnsonville’s thorough interview process helps identify individuals who are likely to thrive in their coaching environment. New hires go through a structured onboarding process that includes understanding and integrating with the Johnsonville Way.

Interestingly, Steve notes there can sometimes be challenges for new members coming from organizational cultures where command-and-control leadership styles are prevalent. For those team members, adapting to a coaching culture can take longer – sometimes up to a couple of years – so patience is key.

Continuous learning is also a cornerstone of building a positive workplace culture at Johnsonville. To that end, they believe that leaders must be lifelong learners who model this behavior to their teams. This commitment to learning ensures that all members, from new hires to senior leaders, are aligned with the company’s evolving goals and values. Johnsonville provides various learning and development opportunities to help employees grow personally and professionally, reinforcing the belief in continuous learning.

A distinctive aspect of Johnsonville’s culture is how they term certain aspects of the work experience. For example, team meetings are called “tailgates” to better reflect the vibe and feel of the Johnsonville culture and create a relaxed and engaging atmosphere for team collaboration​​.

Steve Sorenson’s insights reveal that building a positive workplace culture involves more than just policies and procedures; it requires a deep commitment to coaching, continuous learning, and consistent behavior modeling from leaders. Johnsonville’s approach, with its emphasis on inclusive and inspirational coaching, offers a valuable model for other organizations striving to enhance connectivity and performance among their teams. As businesses navigate the complexities of the modern workplace, these principles of cultural integration and development remain vital for long-term success. Building a positive workplace culture is essential for creating an environment where employees feel connected, valued, and motivated to achieve their best.