Frustrated with the performance of his favorite college team, a fervent fan yelled “stop worrying about the culture and just play ball”.
What this individual did not recognize is that an organization’s “culture” has a direct impact on the success of the team or business. When teams are struggling, examining the culture is often the first step towards a more favorable environment, greater satisfaction among team members and increased effort. All these outcomes work together to improve an organization’s performance and success.
Indeed, every organization has a culture – from Fortune 50os to non-profits and civic clubs to small businesses. That culture is a collection of values, expectations and practices that guide and inform the actions of team members.
More simply put, everyday practices of an organization impact the culture, affecting its behavior. Toxic cultures can be created when managers aren’t paying attention to basic employee needs. They aren’t communicating or recognizing strong employee performance. These managers don’t fully understand the organization’s values and purpose, and they are not being asked for input. It’s a bad situation all around.
Addressing cultural issues to improve the environment is not rocket science. Business owners and senior leaders set the cultural tone, and they have the power to influence positive change. Simply practicing good people management techniques can create positive change. Leaders can begin by setting up a meaningful two-way dialogue with employees and welcoming/addressing their input and concerns, By recognizing and rewarding superior performance, they set a positive example for others. Adhering to these practices are a start towards developing a framework that can find and eliminate the roadblocks to a positive culture.
Contact the Davidson Group for an audit of your culture. We can work together to implement small changes that can have a huge impact on your organizational culture (and success).
