A few weeks back, my husband and I had a conversation about what defines a ritual, the rituals we commonly encounter in the workplace, and how it differs from your average meeting or ceremony. This conversation got me curious, so I dove back into my social anthropology books from my time at university and revisited the research of anthropologists like Victor Turner, Mary Douglas, Clifford Geertz, and Arnold Van Gennep. There are multifaceted functions and purposes that rituals can fulfill in society, including the workplace:
1️⃣ Rites of passage and identity transformations: Rituals possess the power to signify significant life transitions and shifts in identity. In the corporate world, this may manifest during onboarding processes, where welcoming new colleagues marks a symbolic initiation into the organization.
2️⃣ Fostering belonging and social connection: Rituals serve as catalysts for forging stronger bonds and reinforcing group identity. Initiatives like “The global mixtape,” where colleagues share music playlists serve as an example.
3️⃣ Transmission of cultural meaning: Company rituals play a vital role in conveying organizational values and norms. Whether through annual awards ceremonies or public recognition channels, these rituals serve as reminders of what is cherished and esteemed within the organization.
4️⃣ Coping with ambiguity, complexity, and change: Rituals provide a framework for navigating periods of uncertainty and transition. From honoring past achievements before embracing new ways of working to supporting teams affected by organizational changes like layoffs or mergers, rituals offer solace, acknowledgment, and closure.
I’m convinced that People Ops teams have a real opportunity to make a positive impact in the workplace with thoughtful rituals. However, I also recognize the importance of not forcing anything onto people – rituals should genuinely serve a purpose, address specific needs, and resonate with the people and the situation at hand. As such I think teams and employees should be co-creators of rituals in the workplace.
How does your organization approach rituals in the workplace? Are your People Ops teams actively involved in this?
P.S. If you’re looking for some great reading material, I highly recommend checking out “Rituals for Work” by Kursat Ozenc and Margaret Hagan. It’s packed with easy-to-digest information on rituals and offers up to 50 examples you can adapt to your team or workplace.
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