Research consistently shows that music affects how our brains process emotion, connection, and stress. According to the American Psychological Association, music can reduce cortisol levels, helping lower stress and anxiety while improving emotional regulation. In other words, the right music actually helps people feel calmer, more grounded, and more open to one another.
Harvard Business Review has also explored how music in the workplace can boost morale and foster connection. Studies they’ve highlighted suggest that shared listening experiences increase feelings of social bonding and cooperation, especially in group settings. When people feel emotionally connected, they’re more likely to collaborate, extend empathy, and navigate conflict without immediately going into defense mode.
The Workplace Playlist: Setting the Tone for the Year Ahead
A few years back, we created a playlist focused on inclusivity at work. To our surprise (and delight), it became one of our most popular blogs, and it’s still pulling its weight in Google searches today.
Turns out people really like the idea that work doesn’t have to be boring! So we’ve curated a workplace playlist for you and your workforce.
Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
A gentle reminder that tough seasons don’t last forever. This song signals renewal and hope, making it a great way to set an optimistic tone as a new year or new chapter begins.
Lovely Day – Bill Withers
Easygoing and uplifting, this track subtly boosts mood and energy. It’s perfect for easing into the workday or helping teams reset after a stressful stretch. (And one of Catherine’s favorite songs of all time.)
Unstoppable – Sia
A powerful anthem of resilience, this song reinforces inner strength and confidence, especially for individuals and teams navigating change, setbacks, or recovery.
Stand by Me – Ben E. King
A timeless reminder of trust and dependability, this song highlights the power of showing up for one another, both at work and beyond.
Dog Days Are Over – Florence + The Machine
Energetic and freeing, this track captures the feeling of moving on and moving forward, making it a fitting soundtrack for fresh starts and new beginnings.
Ache – FELIP
A more introspective, contemporary track that acknowledges emotional complexity and vulnerability, reminding listeners that it’s okay to bring their full humanity to work.
Love Someone – Lukas Graham
Grounded in compassion and connection, this song encourages empathy and care in our relationships with colleagues without feeling overly sentimental.
Rise – Calum Scott
Quietly powerful, this track reflects perseverance and self-belief, reinforcing the courage it takes to speak up, grow, and keep moving forward.
Of Course, A Playlist Won’t Fix a Toxic Culture
Certainly a playlist can help create the emotional environment where meaningful change is more likely to take root. But culture is shaped not only by big initiatives but also by the everyday signals that remind people they belong and that it’s safe to be human at work.
As you move into the new year, we invite you to press play and think intentionally about the tone you’re setting.
Download our 2025 Culture Review to assess your workplace culture over the past year and create actionable plans for 2026. Use it to:
- Compare your culture goals versus what actually happened
- Reflect on employee experience and leadership’s impact
- Create concrete goals and timelines, and an action plan, for 2026.
If you really are thinking intentionally about the tone you want to set this year, we’d love to continue the conversation with you. Join us for our upcoming webinar, Company Culture: Addressing Current and Future Trends, on January 28 at 10 a.m. PT. We’ll explore what it takes to build healthier, more human workplaces, now and in the years ahead.
Save your spot and join us as we start the year strong, together!
