Navigating the Depths: Unveiling Company Culture with The Iceberg Model and highlight

Company culture is a behemoth that extends way beyond what meets the eye. The Iceberg Model, inspired by Edward T. Hall’s work on cultural communication, serves as a solid metaphor to understand the layers of company culture - the visible and the invisible. The visible is what you see on a day-to-day basis, but the invisible is where the real magic (or mayhem) happens. Let’s dive in and see how highlight is helping in navigating these unseen waters.

The Iceberg Model: Surfacing the Unseen

The Iceberg Model breaks down company culture into two domains: the visible aspects that are right there on the surface, and the invisible, deeper aspects that really shape the essence of the organization.

Visible Facets (Above the Waterline):

• Benefits: The tangible perks like health insurance, retirement plans, and vacation days. The type of benefits you may see on job specs.
• Dress Code: The expected attire, be it casual or formal. Probably not so relevant nowadays #remotework.
• Office Environment: The physical (or digital) layout and amenities of the workspace.
• People: The diverse individuals that make up the company.
• Location: The geographical locale of the company, impacting commute and lifestyle.

Invisible Facets (Below the Waterline):

These are the backbone of a company's culture, significantly impacting the organizational ethos and employee engagement.

• Trust: The level of confidence within teams and towards the organization.
• Learning Opportunities: The avenues for personal and professional growth.
• Core Values: The guiding principles and beliefs of the company.
• Work Ethic: The attitudes towards diligence, commitment, and discipline.
• Openness: The culture of sharing information and being receptive to new ideas.
• Flexibility: The adaptability towards changes and challenges.

These elements, though not immediately apparent, are crucial for a solid understanding of how an organization operates.

Navigating the Undercurrents with highlight

highlight is designed to ease the navigation through the deeper aspects of company culture. Here's how:

• Transparent Communication: highlight encourages an environment where crucial information and core values are shared openly, catering to the facets of Trust and Openness.
• Centralized Information: A single hub for all key updates ensures everyone is aligned with the company’s goals and values, bridging the Learning Opportunities aspect.
• Community Building: By acknowledging achievements and milestones, highlight helps in fostering a sense of community, resonating with the Work Ethic and Flexibility aspects.

highlight isn’t just a tool; it’s a step towards delving deep into the significant yet unseen facets of your company culture, aiming for a more coherent, open, and vibrant organizational environment.

Unveiling the depths of your company culture is a journey towards understanding and alignment. highlight serves as a catalyst in this venture, offering a platform for clear communication and shared understanding. Stick around as we explore more on how highlight aids in nurturing a culture of transparency, trust, and collective growth.