We hear the term culture used often in the world of business, sports, school and the military. Studies show the best companies that provide the best services and products have a great culture that everyone believes in. Same for the sports teams that consistently make playoffs and win championships. We live in a world where many companies are selling a five-step process to losing weight, dieting, working out, and getting rich. Online marketing is prominent for selling quick fix products or services that lead to broken promises. The longest road to success is a shortcut. These quick tactics and strategies will help create success, but not sustain it. In the book Culture Code by Daniel Coyle, he defines “Culture as a set of living relationships working toward a shared goal.” A great culture creates an environment where everyone feels safe and connected.
Here’s some questions you can ask for creating a culture:
- Are we connected?
- Do we share a future?
- Are we safe?
Daniel Coyle, discusses five keys to creating a successful team:
- Name and rank your priorities. Ex: Targets, Goals, Purpose, Vision and Mission
- Be 10x clear about your priorities as you think you should be. Know your why for any product or service you provide in the marketplace.
- Figure out where your team aims for proficiency and where it aims for creativity. Give autonomy and hold people accountable for providing or creating excellence in every area.
- Embrace the use of catchphrases. Our organization has its own mantras that defines our purpose, vision, mission and beliefs. Ex: Make Success a routine, Good is the enemy to great, Success leaves clues.
- Measure what really matters. Figure out what actions, behaviors, and your ideal teammate you need to create lasting success in your organization.
- Use Artifacts. Use anything that can create success mindsets, behaviors and inspire your teammates to take action.
- Focus on bar-setting behaviors. Praise behaviors that embody your organizations culture, beliefs and core values.
Peter Drucker was the one who coined the adage that “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” We are in a day and time where people truly care about the mission and purpose your organization is providing. Potential employees really read your mission and vision statement to see if it aligns with their personal purpose before applying for the position. There’s no hiding what you truly stand for and your beliefs since social media has made it impossible to have any privacy. The one thing I’ve learned from reading the book “Culture Code”, is where people feel safe and connected to one another, amazing things can happen. It doesn’t matter if it’s an organization, family, sports team, school, charity, or relationship; the culture will reflect your leadership and create the positive or negative results.
Quote of the Day: “Your brand is what everyone says about you when you’re not in the room.” -Jeff Bezos