In 2019, I had the opportunity to present my research on rituals as part of the Stanford Alumni Series This talk explored a question that’s central to both personal and professional life: how do we create a culture that truly reflects our values and priorities?

Rituals are more than traditions or routines. They are intentional, repeatable acts that shape how we transition between moments, build relationships, resolve conflict, and find focus. My work shows that by designing rituals thoughtfully, we can create lighter, bottom-up ways to strengthen culture and bring more meaning into our daily lives—both at work and beyond.

In this session, I shared insights from my research and my book Rituals for Work, where we explore how rituals help:

Bridge transitions, whether it’s starting a new job, launching a project, or wrapping up a milestone
Get into flow by reducing distractions and setting the stage for focused work
Strengthen bonding in teams and organizations, reinforcing trust and connection
Address conflict in structured, constructive ways that improve communication and collaboration

This event was a great opportunity to connect with the Stanford community and help leaders think about how they can apply rituals in their own organizations. Whether you're a team leader, an entrepreneur, or just someone looking to bring more intentionality into your work, I encourage you to watch the full session and explore how rituals can create a more engaged and purpose-driven culture.

You can watch the full talk here.

Take Charge: Design Your Workplace Culture