--- title: Uncommon Norms description: Align all employee behaviour toward a common goal with Uncommon Norms. Increase accountability and feedback, and dramatically improve hiring accuracy. --- [![IMG_5058-compressed](https://www.culturesmithinc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_5058-compressed.jpeg?width=1638&height=1638&name=IMG_5058-compressed.jpeg) ![IMG_5060-compressed](https://www.culturesmithinc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_5060-compressed.jpeg?width=99&height=99&name=IMG_5060-compressed.jpeg)](https://www.culturesmithinc.com?hsLang=en) # Attract Effort., Commitment.,Talent.,Engagement.,Feedback.,Accountability.. #### Increase collaboration, earn more and better feedback, and attract your next top performer with ease.   #### Creating a cohesive team is like tuning a magnet to attract only the right behaviours. We understand the challenge. It's why we created Uncommon Norms™. This revolutionary tool highlights the positives that propel your team forward, and identifies the unhealthy habits that derail progress. It is the only way to an aligned culture that drives engagement. Join forward-thinking leaders who experience the power of unified and engaged teams. Discover the impact of a well-honed culture on your bottom line. Request your free demo of Uncommon Norms™ today. #### We know the power of questions when it comes to shaping team dynamics and guiding new behaviours. They spark interest, dismantle groupthink, and get the brain ready for learning. It's why our FAQs don't get buried in footnotes.   - #### How would you explain Uncommon Norms to me if I was 5 years old? Imagine if we had a magic guidebook that tells us the best way to behave so we can play together nicely, even in tough times like when we're arguing over toys or feeling frustrated. That's what Uncommon NormsTM does. It helps your team understand how to act so everyone feels safe and understood so they can do their best work. As a leader, it offers a "magic guidebook" that aids in managing the behaviour of the team, leading to better cooperation, improved communication and less conflict. - #### How does Uncommon Norms differ from traditional Core Values or Vision & Mission statements? Values and mission statements are like the destination on a map; they tell us where we want to go. Uncommon Norms offers the road signs and traffic rules on that journey. It shows your people how to behave on the way to your destination so that everyone can get there safely and happily. As a leader, you’ll be equipped with practical steps to navigate the journey to your organization's goals, improving the overall journey towards achieving the vision and mission of the company. - #### How will Uncommon Norms help with the growing pains of my rapidly expanding team? Uncommon NormsTM act like a compass. As you add people, teams can lose direction. This tool shows everyone the right behaviour to follow, helping them stay aligned and reduce the 'bumps' on the road as you grow." This offers you the ability as a leader to maintain a harmonious and aligned team, even during periods of rapid growth. - #### How can Uncommon Norms help integrate a new executive into our existing culture?" Think of it as a language guide for a foreign country. It teaches the new executive the 'language' of your team's behaviour, helping them fit in more smoothly and reducing the risk of misunderstandings. This allows both you and your new leader, the unspoken cues you can use to more easily gel into a cohesive leadership team, reducing potential conflicts and misunderstandings along the way. - #### How will Uncommon Norms help me handle the interpersonal issues in my organization? It’s is like a translator that converts everyone’s individual language into a shared one that is understood by all. It helps everyone understand how their actions might be seen by others and suggests better ways to act that everyone will appreciate. As a leader, it allows you to take an active and constructive role in dealing with interpersonal issues. Not only do your skills improve, you will deal with conflict more effectively, leading to a more harmonious working environment. - #### How can Uncommon Norms help me reduce turnover? By aligning behaviour to create a supportive environment where people understand and respect each other better. When people feel understood and appreciated, they are more likely to stick around." Uncommon Norms represent complex social science what we’ve distilled into simple language. It’s what empowers you as a leader to foster a positive workplace environment that encourages employees to stay, reducing turnover - even after our engagement with you ends. - #### What makes Uncommon Norms reliable? How does it work? The entire framework was built using evidence-based theories studied by organizational psychologists for decades. Since 2014, we have tested and validated it in hundreds of real-world scenarios. Like any scientific process, we’ve run the  ‘experiment’ many times and always gets the same good result. As a leader, you can expect increased effectiveness and trust in your leadership, adopting a scientifically backed tool to align your teams. - #### How quickly can I expect to see changes after implementing Uncommon Norms? When it comes to improving your hiring - you’ll see the difference in your very first interview. Overall, it's like planting a seed and watching it grow. Some changes you'll notice quickly, like better communication in your teams, and better insights when you hire. But the real magic, like improved trust and reduced conflict, those grow the more you use the tool. We feel that adds to the value you get as a leader. You can expect both immediate and long-term improvements in team dynamics and performance. - #### What kind of training is required for my team to use Uncommon Norms effectively? Each team is different, and because there are so many applications this tool fits, the needs of the business also factor in. The analogy we like to us is it’s like learning a new game. It’s easy to pick up the rules, but mastery requires playing multiple times. The good news is, we'll guide you through the rules until everyone knows how to play. It's designed to be simple and easy to understand. The advantage this gives you as a leader is that once you master this, you can easily get new members to your team up to speed as you grow, without needing to rehire us for a full engagement. - #### As a leader, how can Uncommon Norms help me balance my work and personal life? By helping your team work more effectively, there will be less need for you to put out fires at work. You'll be able to trust your team more and therefore have more time for your personal life. We have proven this in our own lives as well as those of our clients. In fact - Uncommon Norms was never meant to be a “product”. It was a framework built to help us navigate the complexity of scaling a business while growing a family.  It just worked so well, others asked to borrow it too. ### Identify and shape the right team behaviours with ease.   #### As organizations grow, trust issues, miscommunication, and turnover become persistent concerns. That's where Uncommon NormsTM steps in. Our proprietary method reveals both uncommon behaviours that unlock value, and common ones that create false security. Through this 'contrast of positives', leaders can realign their teams with their future vision. Whether it's handling feedback, managing chaos, or reacting under pressure, Uncommon Norms empowers you to guide even the most diverse team with a singular method. Here are some ways it has helped leaders like you: #### Create Alignment With *The Contrast of Positives:* Fast-growing organizations are often subject to unexplained behaviors pulling teams out of alignment with the company's desired future. Uncommon Norms was designed to remedy this. To identify the 'acceptable' behaviours that lead to poor outcomes.   This is accomplished using an innovative "contrast of positives" method to identify subtly harmful common behaviours and contrast them with more beneficial, uncommon ones. This enables precise assessment of a person's fit with the culture. It also encourages employees to adjust their behaviour to fit the company culture during times of stress. This helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards shared goals, regardless of the situation.   ![IMG_8605-compressed](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/507386/CLEAN-images/lazy-imgs/lazy-img-800x500.png) #### Scale Safely With *High Consequence Areas of Culture:*   In a growing organization, managing performance feels like monitoring traffic on a busy highway. Everyone is moving fast, making unexpected collisions increasingly consequential. Uncommon Norms targets these key areas within your organization, focusing on the 4 High Consequence Areas of Culture: Receiving Feedback, Offering Feedback, Navigating Chaos, and Reacting to Pressure.   Like drivers slowing down in a playground zone, recognizing these areas lets your people “apply the brakes” to fit team norms where needed, without sacrificing what makes them unique. When scaled across your organization, it creates a growth system that prioritizes safety, responsiveness, and alignment. Find your 'playground zones,' and guide your team's journey with precision and care. ![IMG_8606-compressed](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/507386/CLEAN-images/lazy-imgs/lazy-img-800x500.png) #### Bridge Remote Work Gaps With *Behavioural Norms:*   Managing a remote or hybrid team can feel like assembling a puzzle without a picture to guide you. Uncommon Norms provides what's missing - a set of specific norms that define teamwork, so your organization can keep its culture no matter where your people work.   'Uncommon Norms' highlights behaviors that make remote communication easier. You can use it to bridge the physical gap created by remote and hybrid work. This will restore your culture to its rightful place as your key differentiator. No matter where (or in how many places) your culture is now, Uncommon Norms will restore it to its former glory. . ![IMG_8080-compressed](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/507386/CLEAN-images/lazy-imgs/lazy-img-800x500.png) #### Ready for your culture to become your secret weapon? Discover the full power of Uncommon NormsTM and receive an audit of your existing Core Values as our gift when you book a Free Demo. ### How It Works: #### Nothing is more valuable than aligning everyone in your organization in a shared direction - except perhaps the fact that we can make it happen in less than an hour. ### 1: Identify: #### With the use of text-based polling software that works on any mobile phone, we guide your leadership team through a process that identifies the uncommon behaviors that will facilitate success and the common ones that will hamper it. It saves time, eliminates bias by keeping all responses confidential, and allows leaders to participate from anywhere, making it ideal for remote teams. ![IMG_7444-compressed](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/507386/CLEAN-images/lazy-imgs/lazy-img-800x500.png) ### 2: Define: #### Next, we define behaviours based on the norms identified, so you know what to look for in order to keep everyone aligned. The defined behaviours pertain to situations where providing and receiving feedback, as well as responding to chaos and pressure, are essential. By paying attention to these key aspects of culture, we are able to assist you in maintaining alignment in any situation. ![IMG_8625-compressed](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/507386/CLEAN-images/lazy-imgs/lazy-img-800x500.png) ### 3: Align: #### Integrating these norms into performance management, hiring, and decision-making frameworks unifies your team no matter where they are. With Uncommon Norms, you are not simply implementing rules; you are nurturing a way of thinking and behaving that will drive your entire organization toward shared success. Regardless of how centralized or distributed your company is, your vision will resonate across the entire organization. ![IMG_8611-compressed](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/507386/CLEAN-images/lazy-imgs/lazy-img-800x500.png) ### Replace Ambiguity With Alignment. #### Schedule a demo call and learn how Uncommon NormsTM can bring unity & cohesion to your team and maintain it as you grow. ### How It’s Used: #### Uncommon NormsTM is a game-changer in our quest to reshape workplaces into hubs of emotional well-being. It can help leaders across all sectors decode hidden behavioural norms, cultivate cultures that align with their vision, and reduce hiring risks. ### Elevating Leadership #### ‘Normal’ Training Ignores Norms.   #### A lot of leadership training ignores the power of norms and how they affect team dynamics. Due to this oversight, leaders aren't prepared to deal with hidden behavioural patterns that derail teams.   *Join the LeadershipEQTM* *revolution powered by Uncommon NormsTM. Explore how identifying and harnessing your team's Common and Uncommon Norms can help you be more effective as a leader. Manage team dynamics and cultivate a culture of alignment with your shared future. **\[[Learn More](https://www.culturesmithinc.com/leadership-eq?hsLang=en)\].*** ![IMG_8564-compressed](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/507386/CLEAN-images/lazy-imgs/lazy-img-800x500.png) ### Culture Building: #### Culture = Shared Behaviours.   #### Traditional culture-building techniques fall short by ignoring the subtle yet powerful influence of team norms, leaving disruptive behaviours unchallenged and engagement waning. Discover the norms shaping your culture and how they shape team behaviour.   *Unleash the power of Uncommon NormsTM with CultureSmithingTM. Understand the subtle rules driving your team, align behaviours, and ignite a radical shift in engagement. **\[[Learn More](https://www.culturesmithinc.com/culture-smithing?hsLang=en)\].*** ![IMG_7616-compressed](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/507386/CLEAN-images/lazy-imgs/lazy-img-800x500.png) ### Hiring Solutions: #### Norms Over Numbers.   #### Culture misalignment can lead to painful hiring mistakes. But when your decisions are based on resumes and interviews alone, how can you determine if a candidate will align with your team's behavior and shared future?   *HireEQTM unlocks the transformative power of Uncommon NormsTM. It provides more than just a measure of an individual's cultural fit prior to hiring; it also takes into account their ability to adapt to your organization's norms, giving you a deeper understanding of their potential for integration and growth within your organization. **\[[Learn More](https://www.culturesmithinc.com/hire-eq?hsLang=en)\].*** ![IMG_8565-compressed](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/507386/CLEAN-images/lazy-imgs/lazy-img-800x500.png) ### Maximizing Potential:   #### Uncommon NormsTM has the potential to make a significant impact on your leadership. Originally designed to improve emotional intelligence, redefine cultures, and improve hiring, its impact has only grown. Today it helps leaders like you solve a wide range of challenges, including: - #### Optimizing Employee On-Boarding: - Rapidly growing businesses continually face the challenge of integrating new talent into their teams. - Without the guidance of Uncommon Norms, these businesses may resort to generic onboarding programs that can fail to align new hires with the company's unique culture and values. - The key struggle often starts with the initial interactions with new employees, when creating a strong, positive first impression is vital. - Uncommon Norms presents a revolutionary approach to onboarding, enabling businesses to design a bespoke process that's rooted in the principles of their unique culture and the behaviours that support it. - The defining feature here is the "contrast of positives" in norms, which serves to align new employees with desired behaviours while helping them steer clear of seemingly acceptable, yet potentially detrimental behaviours, in their new roles. - The result is an enriched onboarding process that encourages connection, builds trust, and ensures alignment from the very beginning. - #### Aligning Remote & Hybrid Teams: - For businesses adapting to the current reality of remote or hybrid work models, creating a thriving team dynamic is a complex and ongoing task. - In the absence of Uncommon Norms, communication mishaps and feelings of disconnection can become commonplace, especially during virtual meetings. - Uncommon Norms provides leaders with an innovative tool to navigate these challenges by helping to establish norms that foster connection, trust, and effective communication. The differentiation between Common and Uncommon Norms, particularly in high-consequence areas like reacting to pressure, is instrumental in this process. - The outcome is a harmonious and productive remote or hybrid team dynamic where everyone feels understood and valued, irrespective of their location. - #### Improved Performance Reviews: - Regular performance reviews are an essential instrument in maintaining alignment, identifying growth opportunities, and addressing performance issues. - However, without the guidance of Uncommon Norms, these reviews can become generic, leading to missed opportunities for growth. - The struggle becomes more apparent during feedback sessions, where the absence of clear behavioural expectations can lead to misunderstandings. - With Uncommon Norms, performance reviews become a transformative experience, focusing on individual strengths and areas for growth in the context of the company's unique culture and values. - The "contrast of positives" in norms, specifically in areas such as giving and receiving feedback, drives this capability. Consequently, leaders can provide more meaningful, culture-aligned feedback, promoting improved performance and higher job satisfaction. - #### Reducing Interdepartmental Conflict: - In fast-growing organizations, interdepartmental conflict can be destructive, particularly where clear communication and collaboration are critical. - Without Uncommon Norms, these conflicts can spiral, often occurring during critical project collaborations. - Uncommon Norms offers a strategic approach to mitigating these challenges by identifying and promoting behaviours that reduce conflict and promote collaborative problem-solving. - At the heart of this approach is the "contrast of positives" in norms, enabling teams to understand and adopt behaviours that align with the shared future, while avoiding those that may be common but can potentially harm the culture over time. - The result is a more harmonious interdepartmental dynamic, fostering a culture of collaboration, and thereby boosting overall organizational effectiveness. #### Why Just Read About Culture When You Can Hear How To Build It? New Episodes of Leaderhood & Parentship - The CultureSmith Podcast -Drop Every Tuesday. Below Are Past Episodes Where Uncommon NormsTM Have Been Explored. #### Episode 05: The 3-Step Formula For Performance Feedback. #### Episode 09: Why Punishment No Longer Fits The Modern Workplace. #### Episode 13: Why High-Accountability Teams Have More Conflict. #### Episode 18: Workplace Gossip. #### Episode 30: The 5 Laws of Organizational Change. #### Episode 39: The 9-Step Process to Building Culture. #### We specialize in creating healthier work environments by implementing norms. We are also leaders who have faced similar challenges as you. This is why we know Uncommon NormsTM works - because we were the first customer. Please let us share everything we've learned with you. Book your free Demo today. ##### Contact Contact - (403) 809-1321 - info@culturesmithinc.com ##### Take Action Take Action - [Follow Us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturesmith-inc-/) - [Listen To Our Podcast](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1973236) [![IMG_5058-compressed](https://www.culturesmithinc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_5058-compressed.jpeg?width=150&height=150&name=IMG_5058-compressed.jpeg "IMG_5058-compressed")](https://www.culturesmithinc.com/?hsLang=en) Copyright © 2025 CultureSmith Inc.