"The miracle is not that we do the work, but that we are happy to do it.”-Mother Teresa
Leaders provide lots of information, data, strategies, and models for success. As a leader, you have attended workshops, webinars, read books, and researched all of the knowledge of “what works” to achieve success. Still, after all of this, you scratch your head when you see the data come in with results you think should reflect better outcomes.
Why? All of these efforts and the same results. How can we explain this? “Everyone wins when a leader gets better.”-Craig Groeschel. Training, strategies, looking at data, and utilizing models proven to be successful should help us see growth and positive outcomes.
“You cannot solve a problem at the same level it was created.”-Albert Einstein. It is finding solutions to problems or issues we face that are complex at times. It isn’t that all of the things I listed are not necessary, but what is missing that is critical to ensure positive results?
It is a culture with a clearly defined mission, vision, and values. Leaders can explain the purpose of the organization in one sentence. Meetings, conversations, and communications refer to the mission, vision, and values frequently. Decisions are based on these as well. However, is it talking points and papers in a binder?
Ask these questions to reveal the answers to help guide in the understanding of the culture you have, what you should have and cannot have to thrive.
Culture Questions
- Does your team enjoy being together?
- How do staff interact together?
- Do you have a process for the continuous development of staff?
- How do staff feel about their job?
- Do leaders model and encourage self-awareness and intentional personal development?
- Are you able to have open discussions about the work environment?
- Do you handle conflict?
- How do you monitor or know about the culture?
- Do you trust one another?
“When we have to protect ourselves from each other, the whole organization suffers. But when trust and cooperation thrive internally, we pull together, and the organization grows stronger as a result.”
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek pg. 16
If you have ever tried to work in a toxic culture, you know first hand it is exhausting, and nothing can be accomplished. When individuals feel safe, comfortable with their team, and valued by everyone, they are inspired. We want to have these kinds of cultures as individuals love what they do, where they do it, and most importantly, “why” they do it.