4 Ways to Jazz up Your Culture
In Chapter 9 of my new book ‘Detox Your Culture’ (grab a copy here) I ask the question ‘Are you standing still?’ This directly relates to the fact that many organisations simply let their culture happen rather than thinking of how they can positively evolve it to ensure that it starts and remains vibrant.
Often senior leaders are paralysed when it comes to thinking of ways that they can change their culture, yet once you become attuned to looking for inspiration you can see great examples everywhere. These can then be adapted to fit your own workplace culture and demonstrate to staff that not only are you investing in their experience but also that you’re actively thinking about how you can improve day-to-day conditions for work as well.
This was brought home to me recently on a trip to Ronnie Scott’s jazz bar. If you’re not familiar with it, here’s what AI has to say about it in 50 words:
‘Ronnie Scott’s is a famous jazz club in London’s Soho district, founded in 1959 by saxophonist Ronnie Scott. It’s renowned for hosting legendary jazz musicians and continues to be a premier venue for both established and upcoming artists, offering intimate live performances in a classic jazz club atmosphere.’
It’s a destination for people around the world and when my wife and I visited for the first time on my birthday last week, it was everything we expected and more. It’s culture was on display for all to see and here are four things that we noticed that could inspire your workplace too:
- Embrace strategic downtime: Ronnie Scott’s, despite its consistent success, closed its doors for an entire month to renovate. This counterintuitive move — sacrificing short-term gains for long-term vibrancy — mirrors the most innovative companies. When was the last time your organisation took a step back to refresh, realign and provide a new foundation on which to build?
- Cultivate a culture of excellence: Every staff member at Ronnie Scott’s performs their role with the precision of a virtuoso musician. This level of professionalism doesn’t happen by accident — it’s the result of careful selection, training, and a shared commitment from employees to excellence. How can you foster this sense of pride and professionalism in your team?
- Orchestrate creative collaborations: Throughout the night, musicians seamlessly entered and exited the stage, creating new combinations and sounds. This fluid approach to creativity echoes the most innovative organisations, where cross-functional teams form and disband based on project needs. Are you providing your employees with similar opportunities to jam with diverse colleagues?
- Look beyond your industry for inspiration: Just as Ronnie Scott’s draws inspiration from various musical genres, your organisation can find cultural cues in unexpected places. The next time you’re out — whether at a restaurant, a museum, or yes, even a jazz club — look beyond the surface. What elements of their culture could you adapt to harmonise your workplace?
Remember, you don’t need to be a legendary jazz club to implement these ideas. The key is to approach your culture with curiosity and intentionality.
