Culture Carries Vision

When you think of a thriving business, there is always something at work that we may not necessarily notice right away. When you go into a business consistently, what is that one area of business that sets that it apart? How can you turn a business or organization around that is just surviving? What one thing could you begin now to shift from surviving into thriving? Let’s explore a very important key of a thriving business: CULTURE.

“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” ~ Peter Drucker

First, what is CULTURE? 

To build a thriving business, we must be aware of what CULTURE is. Think of a greenhouse. It has a very specific ecosystem to foster an environment for maximum growth.  Think of CULTURE as the personality of the organization. We have many cafés in our area. They all sell coffee, lattes and many favorite drinks. They all may sell coffee, but the personality, environments, presentations and customer service all have unique and different vibes or experiences. Think of CULTURE like a magnet that keeps drawing you back! Think of a successful company that you enjoy. What is their culture that stands out to you?

1. How would you describe your current
business CULTURE?

2. How effective is your CULTURE?

3. Does your team carry the business
CULTURE?

“Why is culture so important to a business? Here is a simple way to frame it. The stronger the culture, the less corporate process a company needs. When the culture is strong, you can trust everyone to do the right thing.” ~Brian Chesky, CEO, Airbnb

Knowing and Defining Your Culture

A simple way to create your culture is to define your culture. First step: What five core values do you desire to see within your CULTURE? Think of creative ways for you and your team to BE those core values. Encourage your team to talk about them within the team. Invite them to carry the core values, not just the words, but the experience and manifestations of those values. To know the culture, it’s important to understand the significance of how culture carries the vision.

Build With a Culture Blueprint

Without a thriving, intentional culture, your vision will go nowhere no long term! Have you ever heard the saying, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me?” There is another saying, “All ships rise and fall on leadership.” For CULTURE to thrive, it takes all the leaders to be intentional daily on carrying the CULTURE!

“When you hand good people possibility, they do great things.” ~ Biz Stone

1. What is your uniqueness that sets you apart?

2. What could define you differently in your market region than other businesses like you?

3. What does it look like when you know everything is working in harmony?

Two Ways Culture is Formed: 

1. Culture is created unintentionally through the process of time. Culture will be created good
or bad. Whatever we tolerate will become culture!

2. The best way the right culture is established is by purposeful intention!

Culture Has an Attitude

Everything has a culture! Culture is the attitude, behavior and core values understood and shared by a group of people. Anything a business leader tolerates will eventually become culture.

1. Celebrate with your team when you see the culture.

2. Remind the team what the culture is.

3. Inspire them on the WHY behind each cultural attribute. Without the why, it’s just more
information and noise.

“The culture of a workplace – an organization’s values, norms and practices – has a huge impact on our happiness and success.” ~ Adam Grant

The Domino Effect

We all have seen when we touched one domino how many begin to cascade. Think for a moment, how you could start with one core value or attribute and put that in motion?  How could you inspire and touch the hearts and minds of your team like a domino effect? How could you carry this core value into your customer experience? I want to encourage you not to wait until everything is perfect with all the marketing, four color brochures. Culture flows out of a heart attitude and permeates every part of the business. Yes, every aspect of your business carries culture, unknowingly, or knowingly.

“Our secret weapon for building the best culture is open and honest feedback.” ~ Gina Lau

Actions to Consider 

1. Inspire your sphere of relationships with the WHY behind your culture.

2. Since language forms and cultivates culture, what words and language can you use to continually paint culture? What atmosphere can you create with culture?

3. Celebrating WINS on the team will FEED and FUEL passion behind the day to day activities.

4. Invite your teams to create an active and alive experience.

5. Celebrating culture going in the right direction will CONNECT the culture to their hearts.

“Corporate culture is the only sustainable competitive advantage that is completely within the control of the entrepreneur. Develop a strong corporate culture first and foremost.” ~ David Cummings, Co-Founder of Pardot

TRUFORTH would be honored to explore the possibilities with your business vision!

You were born for greatness,

Ed Garner