Two tactics that shift organizational culture
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We hear how difficult changing culture or introducing a new vision is in an organization. But I believe in most cases, change flows naturally out of a couple key leadership pivots.
Pivot #1: People Placement– We underwent management personnel changes a few years ago that drastically altered the feel of our company. I did very little to address culture after the new people came on board. They changed the environment without even knowing it, and I felt freer to recast a vision many had forgotten.
Pivot #2: Happy Hearts– If you feel like you've done all the people development and change-outs you can, Proverbs offers a simple tactic to soothe the culture:
Want a shift in culture? Don't use words! "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart." (Prov. 15:30) #leadership
Sometimes we're too serious as we lead. Little things like smiles or greetings can affect people's moods. When I shoehorn myself out of my office and walk around, I find my own spirits lifting as people give me cheerful looks.
Even in a large company, where unique subcultures develop in departments, geographies or divisions, a leader can affect her department's environment regardless of the overall corporate culture.
When the atmosphere seems stagnant or in decline, investing in motivational programs or workplace amenities could be a waste of time. Culture won't really change unless the people change first.
Excerpted from Servant Leader Strong: Uniting Biblical Wisdom and High-Performance Leadership, by Tom Harper (DeepWater Books, 2019). For more information about the book, visit https://deepwaterbooks.com/.
 | Tom Harper is publisher of BiblicalLeadership.com and executive chairman of Networld Media Group, a business-to-business publisher and event producer. He has written five books, including Servant Leader Strong: Uniting Biblical Wisdom and High-Performance Leadership (DeepWater Books, 2019) as well as the Christian business fable Through Colored Glasses and its sequel Inner Threat (DeepWater, 2022). Learn More » |
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