As a manager of a team or business, at some point you’ll need to think about that thing we call Culture.
It helps to firstly get clear about what culture is (of a team/business). There are a bundle of definitions out there. But here are some I like:
👉 How we behave and treat each other.
👉 What happens when the boss is away (a shout-out to Sare, for that one).
👉 What happens when nobody else is around (a nod of the head to Gerald, for that one).
All up, with my worker hat on, it’s simply how you feel when you work somewhere. Is it great to work here? Or is it a bit crap? Do I feel motivated or inspired when I walk through the door each morning? What’s the atmosphere like; the vibe? Can I trust my manager and co-workers? Do we genuinely work as a team or is it every man/woman for themselves? Does my boss encourage me to share my real thoughts & opinions, even if they don’t agree with me? And so on … you get the picture.
Culture is a funny beast. If you nail it, it’s your best friend, laughing with you, patting you on the back, giving you a wave from the kitchen, making your day at work simply beautiful. But if you get it wrong, it’s unforgiving and ruthless; a smiling assassin who can quickly cut through all your hard work until it sees your team’s demise. And with it, yours.
Clearly, you’ve got to give it a lot of respect. Like a needy partner, it craves attention. Daily.
Clients sometimes say, “I want my team/business to have a better culture.” Sure, who doesn’t? A winning culture brings great results, after all. I then ask those clients:
“What are you doing to try and achieve that … every single day?”
I often get a blank stare. Which makes me laugh. Which then makes them laugh. Which then leads to a useful discussion.
If you’re a manager or leader who wants a better culture for your team, start with that question. Because sometimes we look around and wait for someone else to do the work, to take the lead, to solve the problem. Culture is built by everyone you work with … yet ultimately it rests with you. Give it a friendly handshake today; it might just be enough to keep that shiny blade at bay.
