The Hidden Forces Shaping Organizational Culture

In the latest episode of The Leadership Habit podcast, host Jenn DeWall sits down with Nilanjana Dasgupta. Dasgupta is a Provost Professor of Psychology and founding director of the Institute of Diversity Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. 

She is a leading researcher in implicit bias and diversity science, and she joins us to share insights from her new book, Change the Wallpaper: Transforming Cultural Patterns to Build More Than Just Communities. This episode explores the subtle yet powerful forces that shape organizational culture—what Dasgupta metaphorically calls “wallpaper”—and explores actionable strategies for leaders to create more inclusive and positive work environments.

Meet Nilanjana Dasgupta, Renowned Social Psychologist

Nilanjana Dasgupta is a renowned social psychologist who focuses on implicit bias, diversity science, and evidence-based interventions to foster positive cultural change. As the founding director of the Institute of Diversity Sciences at UMass Amherst, her research has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, the Boston Globe, and Scientific American Mind. 

In her latest book, Change the Wallpaper, Dasgupta aims to help leaders understand and address the unseen forces influencing workplace relationships and organizational success. Her passion for translating scientific research into practical solutions for leaders is evident throughout the episode.

Understanding the ‘Wallpaper’ Metaphor for Transforming Culture

Dasgupta explains that “wallpaper” represents the background elements in organizational environments that subtly influence behavior and culture. These elements can pull teams together by fostering trust and inclusion or push them apart by reinforcing divisions. As she puts it, “Wallpaper is my metaphor for powerful situational forces that are sort of in the background…but influence our thoughts and actions in subtle ways.”

The Four Types of Wallpaper That Shape Workplace Culture

Dasgupta outlines four types of wallpaper that impact workplace culture:

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2. Physical Environment
   
   The way an office is designed can affect how well people connect and work together. Open floor plans and shared spaces, like break rooms and lunch areas, can help employees from different teams meet and build relationships. This can create a more friendly and united workplace. On the other hand, offices with closed doors or separate floors can make it harder for people to connect, causing teams to feel isolated. Even small things, like where seats are placed, can impact how included people feel. Leaders can improve workplace culture by designing spaces that encourage employees to interact and communicate more easily.
   
3. Symbolic Elements
   
   Stories within a company also act as a type of wallpaper. These stories—whether they are told informally by employees or shared by leaders—shape how people see the company’s values and who belongs there. For example, sharing stories of diverse employees succeeding can promote a sense of inclusion. On the flip side, focusing only on a few high-achievers can make others feel left out. Nilanjana Dasgupta highlights the power of storytelling to build bridges between different groups in a company. Leaders can use stories to create a sense of belonging and to help employees understand each other better.
   
4. Representation
   
   Representation means who holds the power and leadership roles in a company—the “portraits on the wall.” When employees see a diverse group of leaders, it shows them that different backgrounds and ideas are valued. However, if all leaders look or act the same, it can send a message that only certain types of people can move up in the company. Dasgupta suggests that leaders should ask new employees for honest feedback about who seems to be valued or left out. Making sure that leadership is diverse and that different voices are heard can help everyone feel included and motivated to do their best work.
   

1. 
   
2. Unspoken Norms
   
   Unspoken norms are the unwritten rules about how things really work in a company. These can include things like how to dress, how to communicate in emails, or who gets to speak in meetings. Dasgupta compares these rules to an invisible maze: those who understand them can succeed, but those who don’t can get stuck. These norms can be hard for new employees to figure out, especially if they come from different backgrounds. Leaders can help by making these rules clear and by setting up mentorship programs. Near-peer mentors—those who are just a few years ahead—can be especially helpful because they remember what it’s like to be new. Making unspoken rules more obvious helps everyone feel like they have a fair chance to succeed.
   

Changing the Wallpaper to Transform Organizational Culture

Throughout the episode, Dasgupta emphasizes that changing the wallpaper requires intentional action from leaders. This includes redesigning spaces to promote interaction, using storytelling to build connections, ensuring diverse representation, and making unspoken norms explicit. “Talent can be made, not born,” she states, urging leaders to rethink how they define and cultivate talent in their organizations.

Where to Learn More About Nilanjana Dasgupta

Listeners interested in exploring Nilanjana Dasgupta’s research further can visit changethewallpaper.com for more resources, information about her book, and ways to connect. Her work offers a science-backed roadmap for leaders committed to driving meaningful culture change.

For those eager to elevate their leadership skills, Crestcom offers a free leadership skills workshop. Visit crestcom.com/freeworkshop to request a complimentary session designed to help leaders build trust, improve decision-making, and transform culture within their organizations.

 

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