The Simple Corporate Culture Combination

We’ve all heard the question as our organizations grow…”how are we going to maintain our culture as things change?”

It’s a great question.

The answer…at least from my perspective…is based on two core behaviors. It’s not about the latest program of the month, or a slick poster on the break room wall. It’s not about a weekly email that reminds everyone how special we all are.

It’s more personal. It’s about one-to-one interactions that take the corporate mission and values down to the individual level.

First, show kindness.

Kindness always makes an impact. It doesn’t mean we are soft or ineffective. It means we have prioritized people over arrogance or getting caught up in job titles, perceived power, or influencing others based on fear.

Second, accountability must be the norm.

Allowing behaviors to continue that are detrimental to the team, patients, clients or customers is simply a leadership failure. Swinging the proverbial leadership hammer is not what I’m talking about here. If you need to swing a hammer you’ve completely missed the early warning signs.

Intervene as the signs appear with a sidebar, private word, or short note that cuts to the chase while maintaining your professionalism. 

Additionally, often times, peer-to-peer accountability is more powerful than the leader getting involved.

Two behaviors that can drive culture. 

What do you think?

Thanks for being here.

Jay

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Start Me Up

Stop overthinking so much.

Stop worrying so much.

Stop analyzing so much.

Stop discussing so much.

Make a decision.

Take action.

Give it your best guess.

Use the information you have today to get started.

Everyone is watching. Are you going to make things happen...or...be the leader that always waits and never actually gets things moving until it is safe to do so...and far too late?

Thanks for being here.

Jay

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Five Things

1. Choose kindness first.

2. Lead with integrity no matter what.

3. Bring the energy every day, even if you don't feel up to it.

4. Go for it...risk-taking changes the game.

5. Value every person around you, and make sure they know.

Thanks for being here.

Jay 

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A Little Impact

How do you do it? Make an impact each day. Is that concept on your radar; or, has life slipped into a familiar routine that taking extra steps each day just doesn't register anymore?

I used to be there. One day was the same as the next...work simply flowed along...and time passed.

And then I realized I felt...different. Something was missing. 

Sure, I was trying to do a good job at work...but...

Then I was reminded that it's not all about me. Shocking, yes, but it turns out to be true.

So in the summer of 2022 I decided to reach out (nearly) every day to check in on others. 

Nothing complicated.

Nothing overly emotional.

Nothing connected to an expectation.

...just genuinely checking in on other people to see how they are doing.

I'm four years in now and have checked on hundreds of people. Many of them more than once.

I'm not chasing recognition here; it's actually a call-to-action. You have time each day to send a text or direct message.

Do it.

That message might come at just the right time for the person on the receiving end.

Thanks for being here.

Jay

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Still Fired Up!

Still love the work.

Still love the people.

Still love making organizations better.

Still love making the people feel valued.

Still hate negativity.

Still hate...hate.

Absolutely still love getting others fired up too!

What fires you up about the world of work?

Thanks for being here.

Jay

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Go.

Opportunity.

What are you waiting for? 

Go for it.

Go scared.

Go anxious.

Go slowly.

Go quickly.

Go.

Its right in front of you.

All you have to do is decide.

Go.

Now.

Thanks for being here.

Jay

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Influencer (not that kind)

Formal leadership roles afford plenty of cool advantages ranging from significant authority inside the organization and the chance to lead in our communities as well.

Beyond that however is the opportunity to be an influencer. Not the social media kind (although social media should play a major role in your influencer strategy.) I'm not talking about the policies you'll create or meetings you'll attend, but they are important too.

My focus here is on the leadership behaviors that do not appear on a report, productivity log, or balance sheet.

I'm talking about real influence.

The outcomes are clear when influence is properly executed. But how does one achieve it beyond the normal authority-based approaches?

Here are a few actions for you to consider:

• Be as visible as possible throughout the organization (not just a drive-by)
• Bring the energy consistently
• Take the appropriate risks to achieve breakthrough results
• Embrace social media as a powerful tool
• Value each relationship of your colleagues every at every level
• Show kindness consistently

Seems simple enough, doesn't it? Yet how many leaders get too caught up in one 'important meeting' after another; and somehow, the opportunity to demonstrate how caring, accessible and inspiring they can be slips away?

How are you an influencer in your organization beyond your title?

Thanks for being here.

Jay

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