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The Power of Teamwork, Adaptability, Core Values, and Leading by Example
The famous Peter Drucker quote says,
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”
Well, time has proven that this is true. Of course, this is assuming that you have created a great strategy already.
Because the two do work together.
Now that we have that out of the way let’s focus on answering the question, How do businesses create great culture?
Why is a Great Culture Needed?
Business today moves and changes fast!
So, creating a thriving company culture is essential for long-term success. A strong culture not only enhances employee satisfaction but also improves employee satisfaction, boosts productivity, creates an innovative environment, and enhances the overall performance of the organization.
In this blog, I’m going to break down 4 elements that will help your business create a great culture.
Please note, that these elements can and should be adapted for both Leaders and Employees to get transformational culture results.
Here are the 4 key pillars for building a great company culture
- Be a Great Teammate
- Adapt, Improvise & Overcome
- Live by Your Core Values
- Practice What You Preach
Be a Great Teammate
Teamwork is the backbone of a successful organization.
A strong culture often revolves around collaboration, with every employee contributing to the collective success of the team.
This element is often phrased as, “Be a Team Player.”
Here’s why I don’t like this phrase and why I prefer “Be a Great Teammate.”
There is a negative connotation around being a “Team Player.”
This phrase suggests that you don't get to give input but in order to keep your job or get a promotion you just need to fall in line with what the boss says, whether it’s right or wrong.
Of course, not everyone has this perception of this phrase but I like to always be above reproach when it comes to possible negative connotations.
Being a great teammate to me, means that you are willing to do whatever it takes to help and then empower your teammates to get better for the good of the entire team.
Does that make sense?
It definitely inspires me.
How to be a Great Teammate
Here are 3 simple ways to be a great teammate.
- Always Offer Help When Needed
In a team, everyone has strengths and weaknesses.
Offering help when a teammate is struggling not only supports them but also strengthens relationships within the team.
It also creates a sense of camaraderie that is vital for a positive culture.
- Share Knowledge
Knowledge-sharing is the cornerstone of innovation.
Don't hoard information or skills; instead, share your expertise with your colleagues. When knowledge freely flows within a team, it leads to improved problem-solving and the generation of new ideas.
It also develops trust among the team because obviously when you freely share ideas it shows that you are not trying to manipulate others to get what you want.
Rather, it shows authenticity.
Great teammates understand that if they help others win, the company wins, and when the company wins all the individuals win too.
- Support Colleagues' Success
Celebrate your colleagues' achievements.
A culture where employees genuinely root for each other's success creates an uplifting and motivating environment.
So, spend time encouraging and uplifting your teammates rather than bringing them down to make yourself look better. You'll find that success becomes much more fun when it’s shared with your team with authentic motives.
Adapt, Improvise and Overcome
I was introduced to the movie “Heartbreak Ridge", starring Clint Eastwood (1986), by two different baseball coaches on two different teams so I paid close attention to the main quote that they both always quoted.
Whenever our team was in a tough situation and we started to make excuses this quote came out, “adapt, improvise and overcome.”
In the movie, Clint Eastwood played an experienced military sergeant, by the name of Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Highway, who was tasked with training a young and brash group of new soldiers.
His mission was to prepare them for combat, so he would simulate a lot of tough situations to prepare them for the horrors of war.
Whenever they asked what to do or complained about the unfair situation he would look at them with his famous intense stare and with his patented raspy voice he would say, “You have to adapt, improvise and overcome.”
This was a coach's dream quote and now a favorite quote for me.
So, what does this have to do with creating great culture?
In an ever-evolving business landscape, adaptability is a crucial trait to have! It's the ability to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.
Here's 3 ways to adapt, improvise and overcome challenging situations
- Embrace Change
Rather than resisting change, embrace it!
Be open to new ideas, processes, and technologies. When employees willingly accept change, it paves the way for the entire organization to evolve and stay competitive.
After all, change is inevitable.
- Learn from New Experiences
Every challenge and new experience is an opportunity to learn and grow. Embrace these opportunities with enthusiasm.
Your willingness to learn will be infectious and it will whow what a culture of continuous improvement looks like.
- Try New Methods and Approaches
Don't be afraid to experiment.
Trying new methods and approaches can lead to breakthroughs and innovation. Encourage your team to explore different solutions and approaches to problems.
Plus, this is fun!
Define Core Values
Great company culture is deeply rooted in its core values.
These values shape the organization's identity, guide decision-making, and influence behavior.
Here's 3 practical ways you can help define and promote your core values with your team.
- Align with Business Goals and Mission
Core values should align with your company's goals and mission.
They should reflect the organization's purpose and serve as a compass for decision-making.
It’s also your company's “north star” that should be how you recognize and reward with and hire and fire with.
- Communicate Effectively
It's not enough to have core values; they must be effectively communicated to all employees.
Regularly discuss and reinforce these values through meetings, training sessions, and daily interactions.
If you think you are repeating yourself too much, you are not.
In contrast, if your team doesn't have them memorized then you need to teach them more!
Remember, most people forget more than what they learn each day so repetition will bring clarity.
- Integrate into Daily Operations
Core values should be more than just words on paper.
They should be integrated into the daily operations of the organization.
So, be creative and encourage behaviors and actions that reflect these values in private and public meetings.
Practice What You Preach
Leaders play a pivotal role in shaping company culture.
Your actions and behaviors set the tone for the entire organization.
Here's 3 ways how you, the leader, can cultivate a culture that reflects your company’s values.
- Demonstrate Values and Behaviors
Your actions should align with the core values of the organization. So by modeling your core values you will exponentially increase the chances of your team following in your footsteps.
Remember the powerful truth that your actions speak louder than your words!
- Promote Inclusivity
Encourage open dialogue and create an environment where every voice is heard and valued.
No one wants to be a robot and just mindlessly come to work and punch a clock.
When leaders and team members all have a say in the mission and operations of the company then you will be able to attract and retain top talent and your business will not just grow but multiply!
- Be Transparent
Transparency builds trust.
Be open and honest in your communication with employees. Share both successes and challenges, and involve your team in decision-making when appropriate.
People are attracted to authenticity. This does not mean you have to air all your “dirty laundry”, that would get weird.
What it means is to own up to your failures and explain how you will fix it.
It also means that when you have success you share who was involved to create this success.
Are You Ready?
Building a strong company culture is a team effort that involves every leader and employee.
So, if you are serious about creating a great culture and multiplying your business results remember to teach and model how to...
- Be a Great Teammate
- Adapt, Improvise & Overcome
- Live by Your Core Values
- Practice What You Preach
Remember, a strong company culture is critical to long-term business success so take the time to always get better.
You will not be perfect but if you follow these steps you will be able to turn your culture around in about 90 days and your company will start growing exponentially.
Enjoy the Process!
Grow more. Risk Less
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