Why Scaffolding is Effective for Leaders Building Culture
Scaffolding provides a structured and gradual approach to embedding a strong corporate culture. Instead of overwhelming employees with immediate, large-scale change, step-by-step implementation ensures that new behaviours and practices are fully integrated before proceeding to the next. This method allows for measured outcomes, providing employees time to adapt while reinforcing engagement, creativity, and resilience.
By introducing creative and structured processes, leaders can cultivate a thriving workplace culture that promotes mental well-being, professional development, and a sense of belonging.
Creatively Solidify Core Values
Core values are the foundation of a strong corporate culture—they guide decision-making, define workplace behaviours, and shape the overall environment. However, merely listing them on a website or handbook isn't enough; values must be lived and felt by employees.
A creative approach to embedding core values involves visual representation. Instead of traditional corporate messaging, companies can hold team-building workshops where employees create drawings, collages, or mixed-media art pieces that illustrate what the values mean to them. Encouraging employees to display their creations in the office reinforces a shared understanding and opens conversations about how these values shape daily interactions.
Why it works:
● Employees feel more connected to the organisation’s values.
● Art-based engagement transforms abstract concepts into tangible, relatable visuals.
● Public displays of values spark discussions and encourage continuous reinforcement.
Transparent Communication
Creating an open and transparent workplace culture requires more than meetings and emails—it needs engaging, safe spaces where employees feel comfortable expressing themselves. A powerful way to achieve this is by introducing a "Shared Art Journal" —a large notebook or digital space in common areas such as coffee stations, where employees can express thoughts, ideas, or challenges through art, doodles, or written reflections.
This non-verbal communication tool allows employees to share perspectives, giving leaders more profound insights into the workplace climate. Additionally, it fosters a sense of psychological safety, encouraging employees to speak up creatively and reflectively.
Why it works:
● Encourages authentic self-expression in an accessible, low-pressure way.
● Offers leadership insight into workplace morale and emerging issues.
● It helps break down communication barriers in a non-traditional but effective manner.
Creative Professional Development
Professional development shouldn’t be limited to standard training sessions—infusing creativity into these opportunities fosters deeper engagement and long-term motivation.
One impactful approach is "Vision Board" workshops, where employees visualise their personal and professional aspirations using images, words, and drawings. These vision boards act as guiding tools, keeping employees motivated while aligning their individual goals with the company’s culture and mission. By integrating creative professional development initiatives, employees feel empowered to reflect on their growth, set meaningful goals, and contribute to a workplace that prioritises learning and resilience.
Why it works:
● Encourages goal-setting and clarity for personal and professional aspirations.
● Strengthens the connection between individual and company growth.
● Provides a tangible and inspiring reminder of progress and development.
Collaboratively Build Culture
A resilient corporate culture thrives on collaboration—when employees work together, they foster innovation, deeper connections, and a sense of belonging. A unique way to cultivate cooperation is through a "Collaborative Mural" project. Employees collectively create a large-scale piece of art that symbolises unity, shared values, and the collective energy of the organisation. This process allows for both structured and spontaneous contributions, reinforcing teamwork, creativity, and ownership over the culture they are building together. Additionally, this initiative can serve as a stepping stone for mental health support, integrating art therapy sessions where employees use creative expression to process emotions, de-stress, and develop resilience.
Why it works:
● Strengthens teamwork and social connections through shared creative
experiences.
● Supports mental well-being by offering an artistic outlet for stress relief.
● Creates a lasting visual representation of the company’s evolving culture.
Culture-building is an ongoing process that can thrive from creativity, leadership commitment, and intentional initiatives. By integrating creative practices such as creative art therapy tools into the workplace, organisations can foster resilience, strengthen team cohesion, and enhance employee well-being. Research demonstrates that engaging in creative activities reduces stress, improves problem-solving and emotional regulation, and builds workplace morale and culture. When leaders prioritise such initiatives, they cultivate an environment that values personal and professional development, ultimately nurturing an adaptable, inclusive, and core value-focused culture.
References
Malchiodi, C. A. (2020). The Art Therapy Sourcebook. McGraw-Hill Education.
Mastandrea, S., Fagioli, S., & Biasi, V. (2019). Art and psychological well-being: Linking the brain to the aesthetic emotion. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 739. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00739
Moon, B. L. (2016). Art-Based Group Therapy: Theory and Practice. Charles C Thomas Publisher.
Rubin, J. A. (2016). Approaches to Art Therapy: Theory and Technique. Routledge. Wadeson, H. (2010). Art Psychotherapy. John Wiley & Sons.