Way of Working: How Your Business “Eats, Sleeps, and Talks”
Every business has its own rhythm—its unique way of operating that goes far beyond job descriptions and KPIs. It’s how your company walks, talks, eats, and sleeps. In other words, your way of working.
But what does that really mean?
Your way of working is the internal operating system of your business. It's the set of unwritten rules and shared behaviors that guide how your team communicates, collaborates, and solves problems. Whether intentionally designed or left to evolve on its own, it shapes everything—from productivity and culture to retention and brand reputation.
What Do We Mean by “Way of Working”?
When we talk about a company’s way of working, we’re talking about much more than tools or procedures. It’s about the unspoken norms, habits, communication styles, and shared expectations that define how people operate together—especially in fast-paced, evolving environments.
It’s the cultural framework that sits between strategy and execution. Often invisible, but deeply influential, your way of working shapes:
1. Communication & Collaboration: How people connect—formally and informally—says a lot about your culture. Do you rely on Slack, email, or WhatsApp? Are there daily stand-ups, async check-ins, or open-door policies? It’s not about the platform—it’s about setting a rhythm that keeps everyone informed and engaged without creating chaos or burnout.
2. Expectations & Boundaries: When are people expected to be available? How are time zones handled in remote teams? Is there clarity around deep work time vs. collaboration time? A clear way of working defines these boundaries—so people don’t burn out or operate in a fog of constant urgency.
3. Psychological Safety & Feedback: Can team members give and receive feedback freely? Is feedback direct, supportive or avoided altogether? A healthy way of working creates space for learning and growth—where feedback is normalized, not feared.
4. Shared Values & Behavior Standards: What’s considered respectful? Is showing up late tolerated? Is asking for help encouraged—or seen as a weakness? These behavioral norms, when clearly stated and lived, become the guardrails that protect culture and foster trust.
5. Autonomy & Responsibility: Do people feel empowered to make decisions—or is everything bottlenecked at the top? Are mistakes treated as learning opportunities or failures? A strong way of working creates accountability without micromanagement.
6. Energy Management & Breaks: Do people feel guilty for taking a lunch break? Is rest normalized, or is exhaustion a badge of honor? The way your team manages time and energy directly impacts long-term performance and well-being.
There’s No One Right Way - But There Needs to Be Your Way
There’s a misconception that successful companies all operate a certain way. But in reality, there’s no universal blueprint. What works for one business may fall flat in another.
Values, Rules and Boundaries: The Core Ingredients
A strong way of working usually rests on three pillars:
Rules – The non-negotiables. These are the basic agreements that create safety and order. For example: “We don’t tolerate disrespectful behavior.” “We show up to meetings on time.” “We ask for help before burnout sets in.”
Values – These guide how people behave even when no one’s watching. They shape how conflict is handled and how success is defined. A value like “We own our mistakes” or “We act with empathy” becomes a compass for daily decisions.
Boundaries – Especially important in remote or hybrid teams, boundaries protect energy and well-being. That might mean blocking lunch breaks, not expecting replies outside of working hours, or encouraging mental health days. When respected, they actually increase performance and sustainability and employee loyalty.
Adapting, Evolving, and Staying Human
Your way of working doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, it should evolve. As your team grows, your business changes, or your market shifts, your operating style should adapt.
Maybe someone just got promoted and needs to build their leadership confidence. Maybe your team needs a new tool to collaborate more efficiently. Or maybe you’ve outgrown your old habits and need a reset. That’s okay.
What matters is the willingness to reflect, listen, and adjust. To pause and ask: Is this still working for us? If not, what can we do differently?
Ready to Build a Way of Working That Works?
Intentional teams don’t just work harder—they work smarter, with greater clarity, trust, and alignment. They understand that success isn’t just about strategy, but about how that strategy comes to life through people, behaviors, and everyday decisions.
The way you work is just as important as the work you do. It defines how your business feels on the inside—and how it performs on the outside.
If you're ready to reflect, realign, or redesign your team’s way of working, I’d love to help Book a call. Let’s co-create a working culture that fuels performance and well-being—without losing the human side of business.
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