Happy Friday!
Recently, I was reviewing an article from the Harvard Business Review on the importance of corporate culture. Many of you have heard me present on corporate culture and its importance to your ultimate success. Perhaps you took my diatribe to heart or maybe it was a good time for a nap! Either way, the proof is in and the evidence is irrefutable. Corporate culture will determine your level of success.
If you are in business, you have a culture. Some cultures are intentionally formed, but most simply evolve over time without thought. The important question you need to consider is, “is my culture healthy or toxic?”
Does your culture empower your organization and team to succeed with a single-minded purpose that has clearly defined your WHY? Is there room for growth and advancement? Do your employees look forward to coming to work? Are the stress levels low and do your employees feel empowered and enjoy what they do? If your culture is toxic the answer to these questions is NO! A toxic culture will undermine all your organizational goals!
Culture is defined by the values, attitudes, behaviors and beliefs of the organization. A healthy corporate culture requires intentional action.
Start by defining your values and what you stand for. What can your employees expect by being a part of your corporation? What experience will your clients have? Are you congruent in your words and actions. Another words, do you act with integrity? Do we confront those who act incongruently with our values? What we don’t confront, we validate!
You have heard me say that the hardest thing to change is corporate culture. You need to be diligent with those you allow on our team(s). Then you need to ensure they work and live the values of the organization and serve selflessly with love and compassion. Anyone who is self-serving and is a “me” player will turn a culture on its head.
If you are just starting out, congrats! You are way ahead of the rest who are just figuring this stuff out. Those who have been in business a while, I hope you understand that you can no longer ignore your culture. It will determine your future success.
Line inspired, be abundant and fulfill your destiny,
