What is it?

This practical hands-on workshop helps your team build a stronger team culture, communicate more openly and align around what matters so everyone feels safer, more connected and better equipped to work together.

Why is it useful?

This workshop gives you the tools to improve team culture quickly by focusing on the core behaviours that build trust, connection and shared purpose.

Objectives

• Experience how small behaviours shape culture.
• Reflect on how safety and vulnerability show up in our team.
• Strengthen trust through open dialogue.
• Align around shared purpose and values.

Resources Required

• Time: 2 hours
• Number of People: 6-20
• Whiteboard or flip chart
• Markers
• Sticky notes
• Printed handouts with key principles from the book
• Timer
• Prepared case studies or examples for group discussions

Process

Welcome and Set-Up (10 minutes)

Today’s purpose: build culture through awareness and shared experience

1. Three key ideas from The Culture Code:
   • Build safety
   • Share vulnerability
   • Establish purpose
2. Ground rules: listen deeply, suspend judgement, speak from experience (what else?)

Safety Check-In (15 minutes)

Activity: "Belonging Signals"

1. Silently reflect: When have you felt safest in this team? What created that feeling?
2. Each person shares one moment or behaviour.
3. Flipchart common patterns.

The Vulnerability Loop (30 minutes)

Activity: "What I Need Help With"

1. Coyle’s idea: trust grows when people share vulnerability, especially when others respond with support.
2. Write down one thing you’re struggling with or unsure about at work
3. In pairs:
   • Partner A shares their challenge
   • Partner B asks: What would help most right now?
   • Then switch
4. Regroup and reflect:
   • How did it feel to ask for help?
   • What made it easier or harder?

Stories of Purpose (30 minutes)

Activity: "Best Team Moment"

1. Write down a time when you felt proud to be part of the team.
2. In small groups, share stories.
3. Discuss:
   • What values show up across these stories?
   • What do they say about what matters to us as a team?
4. Capture key words on sticky notes
5. Group together on wall or board to find patterns

Culture Commitments (20 minutes)

Activity: "One Thing We’ll Do"

1. "Based on today, what’s one small habit we want to commit to as a team?"
2. Brainstorm in small groups
3. Share suggestions
4. Vote or agree on 1–2 shared commitments
5. Optional: write them on a visible card or poster to keep

Close and Reflect (10 minutes)

1. Each person shares one word or sentence about what you’re taking away.
2. Show appreciation for anything that feels meaningful.