How is "workplace culture" best defined?

Workplace culture is best defined as the shared values and behaviors of employees because it encompasses the collective beliefs, attitudes, and norms that shape how individuals within an organization interact and work together. This culture influences everything from communication styles and decision-making processes to employee engagement and job satisfaction. A strong workplace culture aligns employees with the organization's goals, fostering a sense of belonging and community that can enhance overall performance and retention.

While the physical layout of an organization may impact workplace dynamics, it does not encapsulate the broader social and emotional aspects that define culture. Similarly, a company's profit margins relate more to financial performance than to the internal environment and dynamics among employees. Finally, formal policies provide a structure for operations but do not effectively capture the underlying cultural aspects that emerge from employee interactions and shared experiences. Understanding workplace culture thus requires a focus on the values and behaviors that unite the workforce rather than on structural or financial metrics.