Workplaces are changing faster than ever. With candidate expectations, remote/hybrid culture, and a global competition for talent — the old norms just don’t cut it. In a recent feature on Inc.com, Peggy Shell, Creative Alignments’ founder and CEO, joined other CEOs from companies also recognized on Outside’s “Top 50 Best Places to Work” list to unpack what really drives high-performance, people-centric cultures. Here is a quick summary of her full article published on Inc.com.
1. Trust Over Control
- Hire the right people, then get out of their way.
- Micromanagement stifles creativity and engagement.
- Real trust = autonomy + clarity.
Quick Action: Ask: “Where are we still adding rules because we don’t trust our people?” Then remove one.
2. Human-Centered Design
- People aren’t resources; they’re humans with lives, goals, and limits.
- Structure work around the whole person, not just the role.
- Cultures where people feel seen win → retention, referrals, engagement.
Quick Action: Pick a process (onboarding, feedback cycle, schedule) and redesign it with “human first” in the blueprint.
3. Lead with Authenticity
- Token perks don’t cut it anymore. What matters: genuine behaviour, consistent values.
- When leaders show vulnerability and say “I don’t know,” trust builds.
- Culture isn’t what you say — it’s what you do.
Quick Action: Publicly surface one challenge you’re facing as a leader, ask for team suggestions — then act on the best idea.
What You Won’t See in the Inc. Article
- Why being named a “Top 50 Best Place to Work” matters : It proves that strong culture + business results go hand-in-hand.
- How culture becomes a growth engine: When trust, autonomy, and authenticity are in place, recruiting becomes easier, mistakes become learning, and innovation happens more often.
- Micro-gestures matter: A hand-written thank you, a spontaneous check-in, letting someone lead a project they care about — these build culture faster than fancy perks.
Your Next Step
Pick one of the three shifts above. Choose one concrete change you will start this week. Write it down. Share it. Commit to it.
