The definition of culture
Culture is the shared values, behaviours and practices that shape an organisation’s work environment. This definition applies to every organisation, in every sector, in every country around the world.
The key word in this sentence isn’t values, behaviours or practices (even though these are the things that are evident in our work every day), it’s the word ‘shared’.
This is the word that determines the culture climate in which we work.
When we work together to gain agreement on our working conditions, not only does this set clear expectations of the parameters in which we work, it also sets a standard for us to uphold.
On the other hand, if we are told what our culture is (i.e. culture is mandated, not shared), then this leads to disengagement or else generates a lack of psychological safety and means that we are unable to bring our best self to work.
Without agreement on our culture, the conditions for high-performance (where employees do the best that they can with what they have, every day) is almost impossible to achieve.
It starts with education. Of leaders, managers and employees. Only once every level of the organisation understands what it means to create a great place to work can they set about working together to create it.
Culture isn’t about the needs of one individual, it’s about a shared determination to be collectively great, in everything you do.
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To help you fully understand how to gain alignment on this definition, I have written a new white paper which you can download for free (with no marketing obligations) from here or by clicking the image below.
Download my new white paper by clicking the image above.
