We build a
#WOLFPACK

Transforming the workplace into a real habitat!

It was a great pleasure to work together with the team of Wolf & Wolf Technologies in Novi Sad, Serbia. My role during this project was consulting the HR-team in a mindful and creative way, to discover, develop, and implement together a company culture that sticks.

It felt like all the ingredients were there, only parts of the recipe were missing. Thanks to the team, and especially to Oliver Muskinja, Ivana Davidović and Katarina Pavlov from the HR team, and Jovana Anić for her design support!

Step 1 Shaping the values

When defining and shaping company cultures, we must start with the individuals.

Each one of us has different goals, achievements, affinities, and values. Only when a culture is based upon the true values of the employees, the culture will be acknowledged and adopted through the whole organisation.

On a joined workshop we used our Value Diving method to come to the core, afterwards each team member had the opportunity to share his/her own values. Out of those values, we have merged the similar ones, and came up with four common values that everyone agreed upon:

Family
Inner harmony
Learning
Meaningful work

Step 2 Adding some symbolism

It’s important that the team feels the same meaning behind the values. This is why it’s important to add extra layers of storytelling, so we can create a collective meaning.

The Wolf within ourselves

Wolves are social creatures, living in packs and having connections among the pack members. Bonds created between wolves are strong and powerful. Wolves teach us about the importance of self-discipline and harmony. It is important to achieve a perfect balance between the two in order to encounter enlightening experiences.

We are on a mission to find the wolf within ourselves. By getting in
touch with our instincts and letting them guide us, we will achieve the perfect balance between our physical and intellectual self.

Wolf symbolism reminds us about the importance of strong interpersonal bonds, structure, knowledge sharing, and harmony. That’s why we would like to go on a journey of discovering the wolf within ourselves and getting in touch with it. The wolf will provide us guidance, and teach us valuable lessons about life, relationships, and achieving goals through meaningful work.

Time for some creative brains!

It’s amazing to combine my creative brain together with the internal resources. Hosting for the creative director an inspirational session to find together the real meaning behind the values and the wolf symbolism.

This is the part where my years of design and creativity have really come to life!

– André van Kempen

Step 3
Blending the values & symbolism

The values will become the cornerstones of the company culture. Upon them, we shaped the narratives that become the base of everyday work and the values we live and work by.

WOLF PACK

FAMILY

“FAMILY IS A LIFE JACKET IN THE STORMY SEA OF LIFE.”

– J.K. ROWLING

When we think of a perfectly organised social structure, we think of a wolf pack. Although there are other animals that live and hunt in a pack, no one can come close to wolves. They are unique in their sense of unity and their desire to protect each and every member of the pack. Just like in a real family, every member has its place and responsibilities. The pack is led by an alpha pair, followed by wolves different in rank, from beta to omega.

WOLF TOTEM

inner harmony

“PEACE IS ITS OWN REWARD.”

– MAHATMA GANDHI

It is always important to be in touch with our inner self. Guidance from within often helps us in difficult situations we occur. Wolves are both social and individual animals. People who have a wolf as their soul animal can make very strong and permanent emotional attachments. At the same time, they demonstrate inner strength, determination, and motivation. As wolves trust their own instincts to guide them through life, people with wolf totem often rely on their guts when not having enough information to make the decision. Wolves teach us to follow our hearts in order to achieve our goals. It is important to take control and be in charge of our lives.

WOLF NET

LEARNING

“IT IS LITERALLY TRUE THAT YOU CAN SUCCEED
BEST AND QUICKEST BY HELPING OTHERS
TO SUCCEED.”

– NAPOLEON HILL

In a wolf pack, there is a strong structure. Senior wolves teach the young ones to hunt and survive. However, the strength of a pack goes beyond just surviving. If a wolf would try to live on his own, he would be much more vulnerable and accessible to all the predators and dangers of the wilderness. By living in the pack, wolves gain from mutual collaboration, and shared knowledge. Living and hunting together give them a chance to achieve the goals that they never could if they were acting on their own.

LEAVE A FOOTPRINT

meaningful work

“THE ONLY WAY TO DO GREAT WORK IS TO
LOVE WHAT YOU DO.”

– STEVE JOBS

Animal tracks are the alphabet of the forest. It is a nature’s language that tells which animal left the footprints, why and how. To those who know how to read the signs, it can tell a story about an animal’s life. A trail is not just a series of footprints, it is a book waiting to be written. It is a novel about the powerful wolf pack and its strength. One careful look, and you can learn a lot about its structure.

Wolf Pack

Family – A perfect mechanism of social organisation.

Wolf Totem

Inner harmony – Connection with a soul and true meaning.

Wolf net

Learning – Growth by sharing and challenge.

Leave a Footprint

Meaningful work – Act with a purpose and make a difference.

Step 5
Workplace integration

If we want to create powerful packs, we need to invest time in creating the right Alpha males and wives. Without strong leaders, the pack can’t function in it’s fullest potential and we will run around like wild hyenas.

“The main characteristic of an alpha male wolf is a quiet confidence, quiet self-assurance. You know what you need to do; you know what’s best for your pack. You lead by example. You’re very comfortable with that. You have a calming effect.”