Enterprise Technology Culture: Exploring our origins and the journey ahead

"Be BRAVE." That is our motto that we aim to embody as we collectively build our workplace culture. But, what does it mean to be brave? We define BRAVE as Belonging, Relational, Authentic, Visionary, and Empowered – virtues that guide our conduct and kindle an environment of social embeddedness.

Our dedication to nurturing culture is so essential that it has been identified as one of our core focuses for the 2022 Strategic Priorities. The Positive Core was the catalyst for this generative environment that empowers and uplifts its employees. Co-created in 2017 and refreshed in 2021, the Positive Core is now characteristic of ET, where it is championed across portfolios. Our culture did not unfold organically, however; it necessitated a conscious, continuous collaborative effort. 

"There was a desire in us to be better than we were," reminisces Sandra Johnson. Currently a Special Advisor, Johnson is one of the original “Culture Designers”: a team of individuals who gathered to develop what would become the Culture Weaver Community of Practice, grounded in the ASU Charter and our Positive Core.

Knowing that these values would need active, effortful cultivation, the Culture Weavers devoted themselves to a literal labor of love. Recognizing the magnetic and inviting energy that sincerity generates, they strove, from the heart, to cultivate a culture imbued with BRAVE values. "For a while, this work was extracurricular," recalls Product Engagement Manager Zella Muro. "But now, culture work is no longer extracurricular: Culture work is Enterprise Technology work."

This determination struck a chord with Chief Culture Officer Christine Whitney Sanchez: When CIO Lev Gonick established an executive role focused on culture, it was a testament to the role of culture transformation as an integral part of digital transformation.

Stepping into her newly created role, Christine anticipated that culture transformation would trigger resistance alongside emerging opportunities: “It is natural for human beings to resist change. Before I started, I was given the impression that it might be a challenge to get people to participate in cultural activities,” she elaborates. “It was so different from what anyone had done before. But, there was a wonderful group of about 20 people that came together to help design what we could do with the office of culture.” Those 20 individuals—soon to be labeled “Culture Designers''—shared an intention to activate the Positive Core.

Over time, their efforts fashioned a milieu so influential that it began to branch into communities of practice beyond ET, such as “Culture Ripples.” Between numerous philanthropic events, ongoing initiatives, and public-spirited projects, a new organizational culture began to emerge: one bolstered by empathy, equity, and belonging. 
 

Despite its rapid proliferation, the organizational shift toward infusing culture into every facet of our work did not occur organically. A sustained, collaborative effort is needed to promote an environment in which Positive Core behaviors can thrive. For leaders and newcomers alike, this combined effort is what nourishes the “organizational soul.”

"If you don't intentionally create a culture," cautions Christine, "One will happen, whether you mean for it to or not." Initially hired as a consultant, Christine’s insights from her time in the fields of counseling and strength-based transformation provided valuable guidance to the Culture Weavers, who went on to create dozens of workshops, activities, and ET-wide events that encouraged community participation in cultural development. 

Gigi Speaks, Director of Information Technology, was thrilled to see an increase in participation over time. "I was involved in the initial [developments]. I incorporated one person, another person, another person, seeding the thought … having people take turns helping to push forward this initiative. Now, [it] wasn't all on the shoulders of any one person." 

Events centering mindfulness and strategic collaboration began to multiply, as well as activities in partnership with charitable organizations, such as Feed My Starving Children. "Teamlets started making their own initiatives and events," Sandra Johnson elaborates. "We ended up with these teamlets [that formed] to have ET shine with culture."

It begs the question: How and why do we involve ourselves in the fulfilling work of building culture in the first place? Christine answers: “I believe that the people who are most passionate about positive change will be naturally drawn to this kind of work.” 

In short, if you feel an inner drive to create meaningful change, take that first soul-nourishing step—whatever it may be. Fulfilling that mission, and connection with like-minded changemakers, will surely follow.

In honor of our achievements, we invite readers to join us on an ongoing storytelling series, “Culture & Innovation,” in which we will not only discuss the development of ET's celebrated culture, but how it intends to improve, evolve, and intersect with the wider Sun Devil community.