Overcoming common communication challenges to collaborative culture

It can’t be all about work all the time. Employees require recognition to feel valued and happy, which in turn drives productivity and retention. When communications between departments isn’t happening, it’s on comms to encourage collaboration as a means of building culture

During Ragan’s Employee Communications and Culture Conference this past April, Leah Pimentel, director of diversity, equity, inclusion and culture at the University of California (UCSF) Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, shared how she puts culture comms forward at UCSF with purpose at the center.

Here’s what stuck out.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as illustrated by “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”

All humans crave purpose, but fewer are able to strike a balance between experiencing happiness at work and finding purpose or meaning in their profession.

“This is the ideal work scenario,” began Pimentel, “the perfect blend between purpose and happiness. Can it be achieved? Some say no, but I believe it can. And how does that happen? It takes a company that believes in you, believes in what you’re doing and wants to invest in you.”