Every workplace has a culture – but not every workplace has a healthy one.
Culture isn’t just about values printed on posters or diversity statements on websites. It’s about how people behave when things get hard, how leadership responds to tension, and how safe it feels to speak up. At Habitus, we’ve worked with hundreds of teams across Australia and beyond, and we’ve found that most cultures fall into one of four types.
Whether you’re a people leader, team member, or HR professional, understanding your culture type can help you unlock better communication, more inclusive leadership, and greater psychological safety.
This blog breaks down each of the four workplace culture types from the Team Culture Quiz – and how to shift towards a more human, connected way of working.
Your team’s culture influences everything – from employee engagement to innovation, inclusion, and retention. In high-pressure environments, poor culture often reveals itself through avoidance, blame, or surface-level communication.
Leaders might talk about inclusion and diversity, but without psychological safety, these efforts fall flat.
Brave Conversations are the missing link – they create space for discomfort, honesty, and change. But not all teams are ready to have them.
That’s why we developed the Team Culture Quiz – to help you identify where your team sits now, and what’s needed to move forward.
In a Disconnected Team, people feel unsupported, isolated, or unsure of their place. Communication tends to be inconsistent or avoided altogether. Meetings are often dominated by a few voices, and decisions are made behind closed doors. Trust is low – and so is morale.
This culture type is often the result of unclear leadership, lack of inclusive structures, or a history of unaddressed conflict. Without intentional change, Disconnected Teams risk high turnover, burnout, and a culture of silence.
But there’s hope. Recognising the disconnection is the first step. With targeted leadership training and a commitment to repair, these teams can begin to rebuild trust and connection.
Key traits:
Explore the Disconnected Team page →
On the surface, this team appears healthy. People are polite, meetings run smoothly, and conflict is rare. But underneath, there’s tension. Feedback feels risky, and honest conversations are often watered down to avoid discomfort. Inclusion may be a stated goal, but marginalised voices are still cautious about speaking up.
This is what we call performative safety. Teams in this culture type often confuse being nice with being inclusive. As a result, issues simmer below the surface and diversity efforts stall.
To grow, Surface Level Teams need to build their capacity for courageous communication. Leaders must role-model vulnerability and create conditions where honesty is met with curiosity – not defensiveness.
Key traits:
Explore the Surface Level Team page →
This team is on the move. There’s a genuine desire to improve culture, and leaders are starting to lean into discomfort. Brave conversations are happening – even if they’re clunky. Psychological safety is growing, and team members are beginning to challenge the status quo.
The Emerging Culture Team is often led by someone who understands the importance of relational leadership. They’re investing in professional learning, refining their communication skills, and making space for reflection.
What’s most exciting about this team is its potential. With ongoing support and deeper practice, this culture can evolve into one where diversity and inclusion are truly embedded in the way people work.
Key traits:
Explore the Emerging Culture page →
This is the gold standard. A Human First Team prioritises relationships, trust, and inclusion in every aspect of their work. Communication is open and respectful, even in moments of tension. People feel seen, heard, and valued – not just for what they do, but for who they are.
Leaders in this culture type have done the work. They’ve faced discomfort, owned their impact, and built systems that support equity and belonging. Brave conversations are part of everyday practice – not just something that happens during workshops or training.
While no team is perfect, Human First Teams have the foundations in place to navigate challenges with care and accountability. They understand that inclusion is not a checkbox – it’s a way of being.
Key traits:
Explore the Human First Team page →
Understanding your team’s current culture type is a powerful step towards real change. Whether you’re in a Disconnected Team or already building a Human First culture, the Team Culture Quiz gives you a clear starting point – and practical insights to guide your next move.
At Habitus, we believe that inclusive, psychologically safe workplaces don’t happen by accident. They’re built – one brave conversation at a time.
Want to know your team’s culture type? Take the free Team Culture Quiz and discover what’s driving your current culture – and what’s possible when you lead with inclusion, safety, and heart.
This 2-minute culture check offers a safe way to surface the conversations your people might be holding back — and what to do about it.
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