ABOUT ME
Dr. Anna Kallschmidt
Breaking Down Barriers to Workplace Success
I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to excel in their career and build a life of economic stability, meaningful work, and personal fulfillment—regardless of their background. As an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist from a working-class background, I’ve dedicated my career to making this vision a reality by uncovering and addressing the invisible cultural barriers that shape professional experiences.
Understanding the Hidden Language of Success
My journey from a large, working-class Catholic family to becoming a researcher and professional has given me unique insight into how cultural background influences career trajectories. Through my groundbreaking research, I’ve identified that working-class background persists as a socially stigmatized identity even after achieving professional success. This discovery ignited me to continue research in this field, and over the years I have documented and analyzed the unwritten rules that govern workplace success—rules that often create invisible barriers for talented individuals from diverse backgrounds.
The most powerful cultures are written nowhere and spoken by no one—yet understood by everyone.
Research That Drives Change
My research has revealed eight critical unwritten rules that fundamentally shape workplace interactions and success. These findings emerged from deep investigations into the experiences of professionals from various backgrounds, particularly focusing on how social class, race, gender identity, and neurodivergent experiences intersect to influence career advancement.
My dissertation work specifically examined how Black and white professionals from low-income backgrounds navigated their career advancement, uncovering how cultural differences create subtle but significant barriers to success. This research continues to expand internationally, as these dynamics affect workplaces globally.
Services: Transforming Workplace Culture
I offer comprehensive solutions to decode workplace dynamics through
Coaching
Personalized guidance to:
- Master the unwritten rules in your workplace
- Develop effective cultural navigation strategies
- Enhance inclusive leadership
- Create action plans for professional success
Workshops
Interactive, hands-on sessions where participants:
- Identify the unwritten rules in their workplace
- Develop strategies to navigate organizational culture
- Learn to create more inclusive and transparent environments
- Implement tools to bridge cultural gaps
Consulting
We work with your organization to:
- Assess current culture through specialized diagnostics
- Uncover unwritten rules through surveys and focus groups
- Develop strategies to streamline communication and minimize setbacks
- Implement changes that promote belonging and retention
Keynote Speaking
I share transformative insights about the Unwritten Rules of Work, inspiring audiences to recognize and navigate the hidden cultural codes that impact professional success.
Creating Healthier, More Effective Workplaces
When organizations operate on unspoken norms that differ from their employees’ cultural backgrounds, the impact is profound: increased stress, higher turnover, communication challenges, and subtle discrimination. By making these invisible dynamics visible, I help organizations and leaders:
- Create environments where talent from all backgrounds can thrive
- Build bridges across cultural differences to enhance communication and collaboration
- Transform workplace cultures to support both individual and organizational success
Through “The Unwritten Way” methodology, I partner with organizations and leaders to decode these hidden dynamics, creating workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to excel and contribute their unique talents and perspectives.
Ready to transform your workplace into one where everyone can thrive? Let’s connect and explore how understanding these unwritten rules can create positive change in your organization.
