COLIN ON CULTURE
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Space for everyone
We don’t all work the same so why do we persist with culture killing monolithic office spaces?
Communication: the key to success
Communication permeates every aspect of our working lives. From explaining strategies, crafting compelling presentations and negotiating deals to resolving conflicts and building trust-based relationships. Effective communication shapes outcomes at every turn.
A case of the Mondays
We all have bad days but your mood is contagious and spreading negativity is a culture killer.
Saying no
One of the best skills we can learn, therefore, is the ability to say ‘no’ and sometimes, ‘no’ is a complete sentence. That’s not to say that we deliver the message rudely or with attitude, indeed the opposite is true.
Agency, the culture secret
When employees are given the opportunity to define their own working conditions — how they connect, behave, work together and be creative — they gain not only a sense of pride in what they’ve built, but also a determination to uphold it.
Anchored in the past
The stories in your culture will determine whether you sail or sink.
The quote that never was
In every office, every sports team, every startup, every Fortune 500 company, we've seen it happen. The perfect strategy, meticulously planned, beautifully presented... and it falls flat. Not because the strategy was wrong, but because the people weren't ready.
The cost of hovering
Micromanagement is a culture-killer that can unravel even the most productive of teams. Swap hovering for trusting and watch your teams soar
Indomitable Spirit
It would have been easy to give up at any stage of my journey and you will hit roadblocks in your work too. You have to believe in yourself and your vision for your future self. If you don’t, no one else will either.
Doing more with less
When we sprint from task to task, juggling our endless to-do lists, we're not actually moving forward. We're just moving.
Proper work
The real question isn't whether today's workers are doing proper work. The real question is whether today's leaders are creating proper working environments.
The 5 Types of Employees (and the 2 you need to worry about)
Meet the five employee archetypes I have encountered in my work helping organisations to transform their cultures. Understand what drives and defines each of them, plus which two to look out for and why.
Emotional intelligence alone doesn't ensure success
Emotional intelligence is critical in building relationships, developing empathy and generating the resilience required to stay committed to the team. However, without the drive and discipline to succeed, it won’t bring you the success you’re seeking.
5 Reasons Why Celebrating Success is Important
Create the conditions for even more success by making sure you pause, appreciate and celebrate the wins along the way.
5 Traits of Great Culture Makers
Years served or status reached does not automatically create a manager who can build high performing teams. It takes deliberate effort and attention, skills development and practice, to be the kind of manager who is a Culture Maker.
Are you building a culture or a cult?
If a culture demands that you give up who you are and what you stand for is it more of a cult? Control is a key part of a cult so check yourself and make sure you’re not asking everyone to drink the Kool-Aid.
5 Phrases Emotionally Intelligent Leaders Consistently Use
Of course you must back them up with your behaviours, but with a little effort and intent you can role model humanity at work!