Culture is the hidden accelerator or handbrake of success within a business. And yet, if we are not deliberate about the culture we wish to build, it will evolve – for better – OR for worse. To ‘see’ the culture we have germinated – deliberately or by stealth: the lens to look through is the way people behave. If we can put our hand on our heart, feeling proud, knowing that behaviours we consistently witness are creating the platform for employees and customers to thrive, our culture is strong.
If however, we notice behaviours that are not conducive to thriving and particularly any that impact wellness, mental health or which diminish the confidence of people to speak up, these are signals that our culture requires attention.
Determined effort to define and build culture can address major and minor shortfalls and reap incredible rewards.
2020 challenged companies to think and act differently, yet also added its own layer of complexity to how we lead. Dispersed teams in most businesses will continue to be a thing of the – and while the flexibility is often welcomed by many staff, addressing and sustaining positive culture remotely brings a raft of new challenges
Adapting our leadership and watching for impact on culture is critical as we navigate down this path. Deliberate attention to the culture we build in 2021 will accelerate our differentiation and ongoing success.