Culture is so important to a healthy and thriving organization.
Culture is the collection of values, beliefs, and behaviors that characterize a company.
Peter Ducker said, "Culture eats strategy for breakfast."
I get his point. Strategy is essential, but what is more important is the people who will implement the plan. People are more important than any strategy we have on paper. People will define and model your cultural values.
Culture helps you achieve your desired results; therefore, leaders must build a healthy culture.
The Tale of Two Organizations
To help you see culture, look at two football organizations. One is the patriots who coined the term the "Patriot Way." "The Patriot Way" was a mantra for the New England Patriots football team during the era of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. It represented the team's culture of discipline, hard work, and a team-first mentality. The Patriots have had years of a successful organization and were a dynasty. And not to mention having the greatest quarterback and coach ever to live. But kudos to Robert Kraft for developing a healthy culture because culture starts at the top.
The other team is the Dallas Cowboys. My team! (Or former team) They have an owner who operates as the GM and makes himself available for interviews after every game. He hires coaches who will do what he says and allow him to be involved in day-to-day decisions. This is a culture!!!! (Not a winning one, I would argue)
Here are some ideas on how to build a healthy culture.
1. Make your culture
Cultures are built. To make a healthy culture, you must first define what a healthy culture is. What are the characteristics you want your people to embody? Whatever these characteristics are, they must be written. It may be a set of pillars or just a simple statement. But know that without a vision, the people will perish.
If you have an unhealthy culture, rebuilding it first starts with acknowledgment. The next step is to define a good culture and bring the right people into your organization to help you build your culture. It takes time, but it is worth it!
2. Model your Culture
If you are the leader of your organization, people will follow what you do over what you say. Your example is so powerful in building a healthy culture. If honesty is a pillar, you need to model honesty. Its teamwork is a pillar, you need to be a team player. Never minimize the power of being an example.
Culture starts at the top. For this reason, you must put people in leadership who will model the culture you are trying to create. Culture is caught more than taught.
3. Mature your culture
People new to your organization are learning about your culture. It is important to highlight people who model what you believe and, as mentioned above, put people into leadership that exemplifies the culture you are trying to create. There also must be alignment with people. If they do not demonstrate it, restate what you believe and why. This can happen through a simple conversation. Maturing your culture is a continual process. You have never arrived, and culture must always be protected.
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