I’ve been in a lot of workplaces and soaked in the atmosphere.
Some, of course, could post warning signs in the lobby. The hostility practically barks and conversations with the employees are laced with subtle pleas or warnings. Most of the offices look as if they could facilitate hasty departures and I’m sure they frequently did.
My assignments were fairly dry and predictable, but the contact with employees usually was enjoyable and surprising. Examining or auditing policies and practices would often reveal far less about the overall health of the team than considering the intangibles. These are a few of the little things that seemed minor but weren’t.
Types. What types of people worked there? Some places could be fraternities or sororities. Everyone, regardless of race, sex, or national origin, was alike. They were generally friendly and outgoing, and you just knew their bills were paid and their cars were well-maintained.
The only drawback I’d consider was whether their climate was so rigid that an Einstein would be excluded simply because he was somewhat sloppy and didn’t look the type.
Other places, however, were collections of eccentrics. Very different backgrounds. Very different appearance. They’d argue with one another and use colorful language but there was a strong dedication to their mission. They might seem lax, but they weren’t.
While on the subject of types, I’ll add that on several occasions, it turned out that the rough-hewn and blunt types were far kinder to, and more trusted by, the employees than the smooth operators who said all the right things but were otherwise merciless. I recall one of the operators was aptly described as “a shark in a shark-skin suit.”
Simplicity. Most places have jargon, but the best don’t use it as a cloak because it can add unnecessary complexity. The most impressive places I encountered actively sought simplicity. When I asked to see the regulations at one, they handed me a single sheet on paper containing all – no joke – of their rules and expectations. They said, “If our people do these, we’re happy.” They also had a little wallet card for employees that said, in essence, if A, B, and C are present, don’t ask for permission, just do it.
Simplicity like that takes a lot of work.
Humor. I once spoke at a conference where an attorney advised the employers to urge their employees to avoid humor. I said I’d hate to work in a place like that. There are obvious boundaries, but a key part of a healthy workplace is trust and trust is not advanced by walking on eggshells.
Comfort Level. A final item I’d look for was the comfort level of the least powerful people. Show me a place where the lowest-ranking people seemed happy and that was usually a good place to work. The vibrations and attitude of a receptionist can tell you far more than the big picture from a senior vice president.