Having the right workplace culture in our organisations is vital for our sector and our people

Posted Friday 26th February by Admin User

Ahead of SFHA's Housing Now, Housing’s Future: Our Sector, Our People Conference, taking place on 4 March, Debs Allan, Innovation and Future Thinking Programme Manager, explains why having the right culture in our organisations is vital for our sector and our people.  

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The phrase “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” was first coined by the philosopher Aristotle. I think that the phrase perfectly describes the Scottish housing sector and the people within it.  

Housing associations have pivoted at astonishing speed during the pandemic. From supporting communities to providing essential services from home, the sector has responded and will continue to respond dynamically and creatively to the needs of both staff teams and communities.  

This response would not have been possible without the right organisational culture within the sector. Culture is the character and personality of an organisation. It’s made up of an organisation’s leadership, values, traditions and beliefs as well as the behaviours and attitudes of the people in it. Having a positive workplace culture is, therefore, vital to delivering high-quality care and support.   

Two of the fundamentals of great workplace culture are:  

  • meaning: finding a sense of purpose in either the work itself or the output 

  • impact: the results of one’s work, the subjective judgement that your work is making a difference.  

So, where am I going with this?  

High-functioning and dynamic boards, individuals and organisations make up a ‘Brilliant Scotland’. By attracting the best new and existing talent, our sector can ensure that we are fully representative and inclusive.  

The sum comes together to make a whole sector that is so much bigger than its individual parts – for the benefit of our sector, our people, and our communities. 

SFHA’s Housing Now, Housing’s Future: Our Sector, Our People Conference, taking place on 4 March, will explore and highlight different perspectives on the key issues facing our workplaces in 2021 and beyond.  

The conference will also discuss staff and board succession planning, housing as a career, sector culture, and diversity and inclusion. 

Tickets:  

Ticket prices start at £150 for SFHA members.   

Secure your place:  

To view the full programme, and to book your place, please visit the SFHA Live! section.