The theory is simple. A recognized, appreciated employee is a satisfied, productive employee. So how does this theory translate to reality?

Workplace communities have put their stake in the ground– they aren't going anywhere. Whether you lead an Employee or Business Resource Group, learning community, a community of practice, or something of the like– it's more important than ever to treat your group like a foundational part of the business as a whole, with its own clearly defined purpose and ways to measure success.

Woven through the pages of children's books, readers can discover dreamlike dimensions, chatty creatures, and imaginative ideas. They can also find real validation and empowerment - but only if they see a reflection of themselves in the mirror of the story.

Us Cultivators usually have at least one idea stirring in our heads at any given time. Quite often, we're marinating on more than one. Sometimes we'll bounce an idea off of our coworkers or our fellow changemakers (in the Cultivators Community) so that we can find out if it has merit.

It isn't easy to put a price tag on the invaluable benefits Employee Resource Group (ERG) leaders bring to their company, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

Today, we know Randy Lewis as an award-winning author, a disability employment advocate, the founder of the ‘No Greatness Without Goodness’ Disability Initiative, and a TEDx speaker. But before these distinctions, Randy was a concerned father to a son with autism and a courageous Cultivator at America’s largest drugstore chain willing to bet his career on the creation of a workplace that did not sacrifice productivity for inclusivity. 

The Cultivators Community hosts virtual events every month. Historically, these events have always been held in a Zoom conference call...until March. We recognized an opportunity to spice things up a bit and try a new approach to our events by live streaming the event on YouTube. Here’s how we did it.

SnapStream Media, a software company that allows users to capture clips from video and TV, has a clear mission: to harness the power of moments. And Bethany Goldson, a Cultivator and a People Operations Generalist for SnapStream, has made it her mission to deliver moments with that same power to her team.

Culture Amp’s mission is to build a better work world—and not just for its enterprise customers. At Culture Amp, employees (known as “Campers”) are encouraged to join one of several existing employee resource groups or to create their own if they see an unfulfilled need. That’s exactly what Senior Campaign Manager Iryna Halaway did.

We love to learn from the many great ERGs, communities of practice, service groups, and other workplace communities out there, but we also love finding inspiration from the different types of communities that exist all around us.

The Office, the quintessential workplace comedy T.V. series, was once the most relatable depiction of working life in America. But, over the last decade, work around the world has shifted entirely.

Todor’s approach to developing that culture is a bit different from that of most leaders. He’s never believed standard corporate initiatives were the answer—because at heart he’s a Cultivator. 

Since the murder of George Floyd, global organizations have publicly increased their commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). But, a pledge is only a pledge until there's meaningful action resulting in change to our corporate environments.

If you're new to the Cultivators Community, it won't take long to recognize that Alcon, the company that helps people see brilliantly, is jam-packed with Cultivators. Even within that impressive group, Freddie Spotser stands out. 

Communities bring us together and give us a sense of belonging. Communities also multiply our potential impact.

With more minds and hands working together, our communities empower us to accomplish more than we ever could on our own. Together, we can achieve things like mobilizing in response to crises, creating space for critical dialogue, collaborating on solutions to specific problems, and convening members from around the world to celebrate a shared passion.

Innovative, creative teams all have one thing in common—mutual understanding and trust. But how do you build trust with people you only see in Zoom meetings?

How can an established multinational corporation channel the innovative energy of a startup?

The answer is simple: giving every employee space to develop and iterate on their ideas. But the execution can be more of a challenge. That didn’t stop Merck’s Craig Thomason. 

We believe in storytelling. One story has the power to start a movement. By amplifying Cultivator voices, we hope to inspire other Cultivators (like you) to make change happen within their organizations. 

What sets a true changemaker apart? Action. The trailblazers who create real cultural change don't wait to be asked for their opinions. Instead, they take decisive action based on their convictions.