Ah, the late 2000s. A time when fixie bikes, ironic moustaches, organic cold-brew, and obscure indie bands ruled the streets.
If you remember arguing if Bon Iver is too mainstream over a $7 flat white… congratulations. Deep inside you lives a tragic hipster — and honestly, it’s time we set them free.
Because when you strip away the man buns, thrifted flannel, and tiny succulent collections, hipster culture wasn’t just about looking different. It was about belonging to something.
And that’s exactly what workplace culture is all about too.
Culture is how we tell the world who we are (without saying a word)
When you saw someone in the late 2000s wandering the Freo or Northbridge in skinny jeans, battered Converse, and an artfully dishevelled scarf — you knew.
You didn’t need a conversation.
Their values were stitched into their outfit.
- Anti-mainstream
- Authenticity above all else
- A love for craft, art, and ideas over mass production
- A yearning to be part of a community that “got it”
In workplaces, culture plays the exact same role.
Your culture tells employees, customers, and the world:
This is who we are.
This is what we value.
This is how we show up.
You don’t need a glossy brochure. You don’t need a ping-pong table.
(And you definitely don’t need a motivational poster.)
People can feel your culture the moment they walk through the door.
Just like a true hipster café — you know instantly if it’s your vibe… or if you’re about to be charged $14 for deconstructed avocado toast and left emotionally damaged.
Why being intentional matters
The thing about hipster culture? It didn’t just happen by accident.
It was curated, it was chosen. Every accessory, every playlist, every tattoo sleeve had meaning.
It said, “I thought about this. I care about what this says about me.”
Workplace culture is no different.
If you don’t intentionally shape your culture, one will still form — but it might not be the one you want.
It might be one of confusion. Inconsistency. A weird mix of “we’re fun but also corporate but also chill but also KPI-obsessed.” (Sound familiar?)
Culture by accident is like growing a lumberjack beard without committing: patchy, confusing, and not fooling anyone.
So, what does a strong workplace culture actually look like?
It looks like:
✅ Clear values people can live and breathe, not just read on a wall.
✅ Behaviour standards that show how those values come to life.
✅ A vibe (yes, a vibe) that aligns with your mission and attracts the right people.
✅ Belonging. True, gritty, genuine belonging.
In short — it feels as intentional, cohesive, and unmistakable as that impeccably designed hole-in-the-wall espresso bar you still dream about.
Inside us all is a tragic hipster who just wants to belong
Here’s the thing: whether we’re slinging lattes or leading teams, humans are wired to want to belong to something bigger than ourselves.
Culture gives people that belonging.
It’s a shortcut to understanding: Am I safe here? Am I valued here? Can I be my best self here?
And when you get culture right, you don’t have to beg people to engage, or bribe them with free snacks.
They show up. They lean in. They stay.
Want to create a workplace culture that feels more meaningful laneway bar, less sad shopping centre franchise?
Let’s chat. I’ll bring the oat milk. 🥛