Qualitative Assessment: A Human-Centered Approach

Amy C. Waninger
3 min readFeb 27, 2024

In today’s fast-paced and dynamic work environment, the role of company culture in shaping the employee experience and organizational success is significant. As employees, we invest a significant portion of our time and energy in our work, and it’s only natural to assess whether our employer deserves our high levels of effort. Conversely, organizations also benefit from understanding and improving their culture to attract, retain, and motivate top talent. But how do we measure this nebulous concept of company culture? Qualitative assessment can help.

Understanding Organizational Culture with a Qualitative Assessment

Organizational culture is a complex and collective psychological construct that influences how employees work within a company. It encompasses shared values, beliefs, and behaviors that define the work environment and significantly impact employee engagement, performance, and well-being. The intangible nature of culture may seem challenging to measure. But extensive research has demonstrated that organizational culture not only exists but can also be assessed and quantified.

The Power of Culture Assessment

Assessing company culture is a vital step in understanding the current state of an organization and identifying areas for improvement. It involves the development of assessments that can pinpoint systemic, group-level culture issues, as well as the influence of individuals on those around them. Moreover, modern culture assessments identify individual attitudes and buy-in with company culture. THis provides a comprehensive view of the organization’s cultural landscape.

Benefits of Human-Centered, Qualitative Assessment

At Lead at Any Level, we recommend supplementing surveys with a human-centered, qualitative approach to culture assessment. This method goes beyond traditional quantitative measures and delves into the lived experiences, perceptions, and emotions of employees. By embracing human-centered assessment, organizations can unlock a myriad of benefits, including:

  • Deeper Insights: Qualitative assessment allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the nuances of our culture. This enables us to identify both visible and underlying aspects that influence employee behavior and performance.
  • Enhanced Employee Engagement: By actively listening to our team members’ stories and experiences, we can foster a culture of trust, empathy, and inclusivity. This leads to higher levels of employee engagement and commitment.
  • Tailored Interventions: Qualitative data provides the context needed to design targeted interventions that address specific cultural challenges and amplify the elements that make our workplace unique and empowering.
  • Holistic Well-Being: Understanding the human side of our culture enables us to prioritize the holistic well-being of our employees, creating a more supportive and fulfilling work environment.

Partnering with Lead at Any Level

At Lead at Any Level, we have a team of qualified experts who specialize in providing human-centered assessments, training, and coaching based on qualitative insights. Our approach is rooted in understanding the unique needs and aspirations of your team members. We leverage that insight to drive meaningful cultural transformation.

Take the Next Step

I invite you to take the next step in shaping your organization’s culture by scheduling a call with our team. Let’s explore how we can work together to create a more human-centered and inclusive environment where every individual can thrive. Together, we can build a culture that not only drives business success but also enriches the lives of your team members.

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Amy C. Waninger

Helping companies that promote from within keep their employees — and keep them engaged.