This template analyzes employee interviews across roles and levels to surface unspoken norms — the real rules, behaviors, and expectations that shape how decisions are made and people show up.
What’s rewarded, avoided, or quietly expected?
This template helps you discover the internal rules no one writes down — but everyone follows.
Definition: Hidden norms are unofficial, often unconscious behavioral expectations that guide how employees behave, collaborate, or succeed inside an organization — detected via natural language patterns.
| Benefit | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Culture Deep Dive | Go beyond stated values to understand behavioral reality | Build honest people strategy |
| Risk Detection | Spot exclusionary or toxic norms early | Prevent churn + dysfunction |
| Trust-Based Strategy | Use quotes to raise invisible truths without blame | Enable safe, shared reflection |
| DEI Enablement | Surface norms that create barriers or burnout | Advance inclusive practices |
Culture Auditors — Reveal dynamics behind the scenes
EX/DEI Teams — Translate norms into action or redesign
People Ops — Understand what behaviors actually win vs get penalized
Leadership Coaches — Guide C-suite on perception vs impact
“This showed us where people really believed power lived. It helped reframe how we approach leadership.”
— Adrienne Hibbert, Research Manager, Teknicks
