Those impromptu conversations you may have with your manager during a typical day at the office matter more than you might think.
They build psychological safety — the idea that individuals feel secure and comfortable voicing their opinions and raising their concerns without fear of retribution. When an individual gets face-to-face time with their colleagues, this feeling has more room to manifest; whereas, in a remote workplace, it can be harder for individuals to reach their peers and express their thoughts.
For Brent Abrahm, a sense of psychological safety is a key component of daily life at Inspira Financial. The CEO and president of Accruit, one of Inspira Financial’s solutions, said that unplanned moments with coworkers in the office make a difference in his daily work life, making it easier for him to engage in conversations that can lead to bigger changes for the company.
With access to numerous office amenities, such as whiteboards, a breakout room and a coffee bar, Abrahm and his colleagues can easily stay on track to meet their goals and stay focused throughout the workday. Nevertheless, it isn’t always just about hitting deadlines.
“We also make sure to have some fun along the way,” Abrahm said.
This fun takes various forms, such as annual team “fly-ins,” which bring employees together from across the country. Abrahm said he’s even hosted his own events to build camaraderie, such as a cookout and karaoke night that took place at his home last year.
All in all, Inspira Financial’s in-office culture empowers its people to thrive — and connect with others in the process. Read on to see what else Abrahm had to say about the company’s in-office experience, how this impacts his daily work life and the cultural opportunities he’s looking forward to the most.
About Inspira Financial
Inspira Financial provides health, wealth, retirement, and benefits solutions for over 7 million accountholders.
Tell us about Inspira Financial’s approach to the in-office experience. How are these elements emblematic of your team culture?
At Accruit, an Inspira Financial solution, our in-office approach is about fostering collaboration and building meaningful connections that go beyond traditional office culture. By leading by example, our chief revenue officer and I prioritize being in the office every day, setting the tone for teamwork and accessibility. Additionally, we share a third office among senior leadership throughout the week, creating even more opportunities for connection.
Our open concept workspace features roundtable-style desk setups, replacing cubicle walls to spark creative conversations and cross-team collaboration. The office includes a conference room and a breakout room, both equipped with whiteboards, TVs, cameras and audio to support in-office and remote collaboration. For larger events, we access neighboring buildings with spacious conference rooms. On top of that, we’ve got great in-office perks, like a full kitchen and access to a coffee bar and snack area to keep everyone energized. Local employees are encouraged to come in twice a week while noting this on a shared calendar, balancing in-person time with remote flexibility.
In your opinion, what about your in-office experience feels the most impactful on your daily work life?
The most impactful part of the in-office experience is the chance for spontaneous collaboration and casual conversations that spark new ideas and insights and can actually move the company forward. These unplanned connections, like a quick hallway chat, being pulled into a sudden client call or listening to our teams engage with each other, makes a difference in my daily work life. And ad-hoc discussions provide more flexibility to engage with our remote workers, which tends to be more scheduled.
What I value most about our time in the office is the opportunity to connect with a consistent location for our entire team to enjoy. With nearly half of our team members being remote, we also make attempts at creating “in-office” experiences for all team members across the country. Our Monday companywide meetings are a highlight, as they bring everyone together to share updates and recognize achievements. We also host companywide “Share the Knowledge” sessions, where team members present on relevant topics, fostering knowledge-sharing across the company.
“We also host companywide “Share the Knowledge” sessions, where team members present on relevant topics, fostering knowledge-sharing across the company.”
Is there anything you’re looking forward to with the in-office experience?
As we approach the two-year anniversary of our acquisition by Inspira Financial, we celebrate how much we’ve accomplished in such a short time. This partnership has opened new doors, allowing us to serve our clients in even more impactful ways. I’m looking forward to marking this milestone with our team, reflecting on our achievements and focusing on the exciting future ahead.
Throughout the year, we budget for numerous opportunities for management to convene, including several scheduled team “fly-ins” for sales and operations. In June, we’re excited for our “Mid-Year Fly-In,” where the entire Accruit team will gather in Denver for a week of in-person connection. This event is thoughtfully designed to blend productivity with team-building, where we’ll host companywide meetings and breakout sessions aimed at enhancing our operations and sparking new ideas. I’m looking forward to hearing everyone’s insights as we continue to grow and innovate together.
