We believe a company’s culture is only as strong as its purpose and values. This means our day to day decisions are influenced by our values.

As a result, we celebrate team members who exemplify this. Because a team that’s unified in their values, means we are stronger in helping you, our awesome clients!

And we love getting the opportunity to hear stories from you, about your experiences on the receiving end.

All this is such a core part of our team, so much that our Founder, Luke became a certified values consultant! That’s why I thought it’d be great to show you how some of our team members perceive our first value: Big love like family.

If you peek at our Values page on our website, you’ll see big love like family listed at the top. It says: Our team and clients are family. We have each other’s backs and are devoted to every member’s success.

Now, let’s dig a little deeper and see how each team member responded to the question at a recent team meeting: “What does big love like family mean to you?” 

Luke – Founder, Chief Do-Gooder

For me, big love like family is being able to see everyone in our group be their true selves. And also succeed in what their natural gift it.

This means making sure you’re doing what you should be doing and helping you see what that is if you’re confused.

Because in the end, everyone is on a different journey. So I hope that I can be a part of the family to encourage and support you in that way. Essentially, helping you all thrive.

Jess – Impact Growth Alchemist

When I think of this value, the first thing that comes to mind is open communication. This is because if I think of the team like a family, I find that I can communicate better.

For example, I’m able to be more open and honest. And I think this is because we have a sense of trust that we don’t find in other work environments.

This means there’s no need to make excuses. Or even omit reasons like you’re having a bad day because the team will understand.

And of course this aspect of communication also reflects in the good stuff! We all share good news including silly things. And I know we won’t be reprimanded for sharing memes in the group.

Sol – Graphic Designer

This is the value I definitely relate to the most. As a person I could lose everything but as long as I have my family and friends I’ll be okay. So I really feel the value big love like family in my core.

That’s why, having that same sense of support at work is so important to me. Because it helps me be myself and do the best I can. And that’s important to me as a person.

Muzammil – Web Developer

For me, big love like family means we help each other out and don’t do anything bad to one another. We won’t complain about each other or talk bad about one another.

And this is reflected in our group. Because we’re always available to support and help one another. And it’s such an open environment where we can send a message and one of us will reply and help.

Being able to reach out like that is very important to me.

Musaab – Agent of Awesome

I’m big on the culture of inclusion and mutual success. Teams can go only so far based on the individual prowess. Magic happens beyond that, with cooperation and an immovable belief in achieving success.

I say this because I’ve worked in a corporate environment with very set hierarchies. One place that comes to mind is three years ago. My team then had a rationale where we were supposed to work as a unit. But, there was a lot of negative emotions from management. This resulted in a lot of gaslighting and a bad work environment.

I’ve always been someone who wants to harmonise with everyone. That’s why the Sponge team is different because we’re all on the same page working like a team.

There’s a quote that I often use from a movie Cloud Atlas (2012): “Our lives are not our own. From womb to tomb, we are bound to others, past and present… and by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.”

Yinny – Amplifier of Awesome

And finally, my turn!

Bonds mean a lot to me. I believe in being in an environment, work or life in general, that makes you feel supported is important.

Before working for The Sponge, I came from a corporate environment. In that place, there was no culture. There were clear hierarchies and cliques. I never felt welcomed or supported.

That’s also why I dreaded going to work every single day. My anxiety was at an all time high.

But since working for The Sponge, I realised that wasn’t how it was meant to be. When a team is unified in their values, they’re stronger. And with this particular value I feel 100% supported.

This makes me want to bring my best to work every single day. Plus do what I can to be as supportive in return.

Big Love Like Family

And there we have it! Some of The Sponge team’s personal interpretations of one of our values. I hope you enjoyed getting to know us a bit more and see what makes us so strong as a team.

What does “big love like family” mean to you?