In the last 14 years, we’ve proven that a strong, intentional culture isn’t fluff—it’s fuel. It’s what enables teams to go further, execute faster and deliver under pressure. And in a business environment that’s constantly shifting, culture might be your most underleveraged asset.
Executives spend time optimizing strategy, capital and operations, but often overlook the one force that holds it all together: people. Not just talented individuals, but cohesive, committed teams that trust each other enough to take risks, challenge each other and win together. Often culture is confused with office perks. It’s actually about mindset and performance. It’s about creating teams that trust each other enough to take on hard things to win.
Here’s how we’ve built that kind of culture (including winning #1 Best Workplace Culture in the nation by Fortune magazine and countless other national, regional and local awards), and how companies or teams of any size can do the same.
Use Fun as a Strategic Tool
Having fun together is not a “nice-to-have.” It’s a purposeful strategy. We intentionally create moments that build connection across office locations, departments and roles, because well-connected teams with great chemistry always outperform siloed ones. From themed potlucks and trivia games to costume contests and team field days, we find opportunities for people to engage on a human level. These shared experiences break down barriers, build trust and create the kind of team chemistry you can’t fake. Want your team to communicate better and collaborate faster? Start by helping them appreciate and enjoy each other’s company.
Make Growth a Team Sport
The world is changing fast. If your team isn’t learning, they’re falling behind. Group learning builds agility and we prioritize it relentlessly. We run team-led lunch-and-learns. We share reading lists. We adopt quotes from the brightest business leaders in the world and make them our own “HM-isms.” And because our teammates lead our growth, the process builds confidence, collaboration and mutual respect along the way. The result? Teams that adapt quickly, solve creatively and show up with curiosity.
Build Teams Around a Bigger Mission
Strong teams don’t just work together—they believe in something bigger together. That’s why we carve out time to give back, serve our communities and remind ourselves that our work is just one part of a much larger story. From group volunteering to baking cookies to deliver to local fire stations, we’ve seen firsthand how acts of service align a team around shared values like humility, gratitude and impact. These aren’t just feel-good activities, they are moments that deepen and reinforce purpose. People want to be part of something meaningful, so build that into your company’s DNA.
Engineer Meaningful Conversions
You can’t build trust without dialogue. And yet, most companies rely on surface-level interactions that never scratch past the professional veneer. We’ve flipped that script. Team fireside chats (fireplace optional), peer-led “Ask Me Anything” roundtables and buddy programs connect teammates across functions and generations. Casual rituals like sharing three emojis that represent what you’re doing over the weekend on Teams or Slack as everyone winds down the week, or interest-based email groups (like fit@, cooking@ or pets@ are easy to get engagement) create low-pressure touchpoints that build connectivity over time. Why does this matter? Because performance thrives in environments where people feel connected and aren’t afraid to speak up.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Small Things
It’s not just the big events that shape culture, but the micro-moments as well. The meals together before all-team meetings. The team afternoon walks. The rhythm of connection that builds trust and consistency over time. Instead of sitting in a conference room for your weekly check-ins, try a “walk and talk” meeting. You’d be surprised how changing your location and moving together can foster even more meaningful and collaborative discussions. Lately our team has been enjoying “fika,” a Scandinavian-inspired break filled with coffee and conversation, but no phones or laptops. But it could be anything. What matters is making space for teammates to connect without agenda. Culture is constantly being built. If you ignore the small moments, you will miss your greatest opportunity.
The ROI of Culture is Real
When people are connected, trusted and aligned, they naturally move faster. They solve problems more effectively and they innovate under pressure and persevere through challenges. That resilience is priceless. At Hughes Marino, culture is the engine that powers everything we do. If you’re leading a business, you already invest in strategy, systems and sales. Sometimes culture is the overlooked opportunity. If you’re not investing in it, you’re leaving performance on the table. The good news? You don’t need to overhaul everything to start. Your team can start with one ritual. Launch one team tradition. Host one meaningful conversation. Most of these ideas cost next to nothing. Then do it again. And again.
Because when culture is strong, everything else gets stronger too.
