Culture isn’t a department. It’s a daily practice.

In this episode of Beyond the Class, Misty Janks, CEO of the Chapman Foundation, returns to tackle a common misconception: that organizational culture belongs only to HR or leadership. Misty reminds us that culture is a lived experience shaped by every interaction—every email, meeting, and hallway conversation.

She shares five actionable steps that anyone can take to make culture everyone’s responsibility:

• Lead by example—model trust, respect, and accountability.
• Foster meaningful connections—because culture thrives on relationships, not just processes.
• Communicate with transparency and trust—and learn the four elements that make trust stick.
• Take ownership of problems and solutions—move from commentary to contribution.
• Recognize and reinforce positive behaviors—because people repeat what is appreciated.

From connection questions to stay interviews, Misty shows how intentional actions—big and small—create a workplace where trust grows, and people feel they matter.

LEVEL UP OPPORTUNITY:
Pick one of these five steps and put it into action this week. Write it on a sticky note, set a reminder, and make it happen. Ownership starts with you.

Creating a culture of accountability and trust is a cornerstone of our Caring Workplaces program and our foundational class, Our Community Transforms. Visit the link below to learn more.

Note: You must be an alumnus of Our Community Listens to register for Our Community Transforms.

RELATED RESOURCES:

• Beyond The Class - 006-Rebuilding Trust When You’ve Messed Up
• Beyond The Class - 005-How To Build An Ownership Mindset
• Our Community Transforms - Learn More

BLOG: Organizational Culture: Everyone’s Responsibility

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Everyday actions, not just policies, shape culture.
• Everyone—not just HR or leadership—owns culture.
• Five steps: Lead by example, build connections, communicate with trust, take ownership, and recognize positive behaviors.
• Trust grows through competence, caring, commitment, and consistency.
• Appreciation drives repetition—recognize what’s working.
• Small actions compound into cultural norms.