COLIN ON CULTURE
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Lazy Communication Hurts Culture
Communication is an important culture conduit that we often get very wrong.
By putting just a little more thought and intent into our communication we can build bridges rather than put up walls.
Who’s responsible for toxic culture?
Culture belongs to everyone - but we have to intentionally create the conditions for a vibrant culture that encourages ownership and that means managers and employees need to know what’s expected of them and why.
Running the other way
It takes courage to go in a different direction.
Three Culture Traits That Business and Sports Can Trade
There’s winning and then there’s performance - and culture plays a part in both. So what can business and sport learn from each other?
20 Social Activity Ideas
There are hundreds of other things that you can do to mix socially with your colleagues both in-person (now that we’re able to do so in most parts of the world) and virtually, to ensure that emotional capital between humans is maintained and that people make the time for laughter and relaxation
Toxic Culture Isn't Inevitable
The signs of toxicity in any culture are there if we’re willing to look. And once we’ve seen them we have a responsibility to take action.
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.
No Trust, No Teamwork
Trust should be part of our day-to-day work experience and demonstrated through our behaviours, but more often it is deemed something to be earned and given reluctantly.
How Much Is Enough?
Are things unneccessarily complicated where you work? They don’t have to be. Let’s choose a simpler way.
Is your company bad for your employees' health?
We’re increasingly seeing research that points to behaviours in the workplace that are responsible for stress, anxiety, overwhelm and worse. Looking the other way is not an option. Create a culture of caring, not scaring.
In a hybrid world, you have to work harder to keep talent
It’s just the way it is now and the quicker we adapt, the better. Define your new working culture, trust your people to get on with it and create and support more effective ways of working (not more work!) if you want to attract and hold on to the talent your business needs.
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.
Impressive Inductions
You only get one chance to make a first impression so make it count. From the position description to the interview questions and the first 90 days, create a culture experience.
10 Ways To Make Work Less Boring
Inject some novelty, variety, humour and vitality into your days - and your culture - by stopping some things and adding others. It might feel strange at first but I’ve done these things and it works.
Values Aren't Values Forever
Nothing lasts forever - and that includes your values. Businesses grow, society evolves, people change - so, do your values still reflect your culture and what you stand for?
Hybrid Working is an Experiment
Experimentation entails making mistakes, doubting the outcomes, staying the course and keeping tabs on what’s actually working
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.
Employee activism is part of (not separate to) company culture
Instead of fearing Employee Activism, engage with your people to get their perspectives. Listen, consult, consider and then take action.
Is your organisation purpose-led or purpose lazy?
Purpose has become an important, and public, component of an organisation’s offering. A zingy line of copy is no longer doing it - people demand an organisation’s actions reflect its purpose.
Is your culture making good people bad?
No one sets out to do a bad job but when the systems and senior leadership let them down there are toxic times ahead. If the right conditions bring out the best in people, then the opposite is also true.