Culture is Built in (many many) Micro Moments

Culture isn’t shaped by grand speeches or company-wide memos. It’s built in micro-moments—the countless small interactions that, over time, create an environment where people feel connected, valued, and safe.

I learned this firsthand when I inherited a team that had gone through multiple rounds of layoffs. The team was exhausted, disengaged, and disconnected from the company. There was a clear lack of psychological safety, and as a result, people weren’t sure if they should give their best. It was one of the most challenging situations I had ever faced as a leader.

At first, I did what most leaders do—I met with people, listened, set a vision, and established team values. We even brought people together in person after long stretches of remote work. But while these were important steps, they were big, structural changes. They weren’t the micro-moments that truly shift culture.

So, I shifted my focus. I started building trust one person at a time.

I remember one team member who was hesitant to let me join a client meeting. They were worried I might form a negative opinion about their work. Instead of insisting, I asked questions, reassured them, and showed up consistently. Over time, they saw that I was there to support, not judge. Eventually, I earned their trust, and they started inviting me to meetings on their own.

Another time, I noticed conversations would stop when I entered the room. Instead of ignoring it, I acknowledged it—sometimes with humor, sometimes with vulnerability. Slowly, people realized I wasn’t there to micromanage, but to be part of the team.

These micro-moments—small conversations, gestures of trust, and follow-through on commitments—stacked up. Over time, the team’s culture shifted. People started feeling safer, more engaged, and more willing to contribute.

If you’re leading cultural change, know this: You have to show up every day. It’s exhausting at times, but stopping isn’t an option. Change happens through relentless commitment to the little things—because in the end, culture is built in the micro-moments.