Cupola CX’s Post

“Knock on wood” is something many people say so they don’t jinx themselves. As a kid, who had a Swedish Gramma, I grew up using this phrase to wake-up my family’s Tomte. A Tomte is a Swedish elf who lives in the wooden beams of your house & protects your family from misfortune. By knocking on wood, you’re alerting him & asking for help. Each year on the night of Dec 23 our family leaves out a bowl of porridge, as a sign of gratitude, thanking our Tomtes for watching over us & protecting us from harm over the last year. If you forget to leave porridge out for your Tomtes they will be mischievous & cause trouble for your family in the new year. This tradition & story has been handed down across generations of Swedes. It got me thinking about the importance of sharing stories or traditions in organizations, with both team members & customers. Just like the Tomte, traditions in organizations act as protectors, reminding teams of their purpose, aligning them around shared values, & helping them navigate challenges together. They create a sense of belonging: 💚how you document your culture (e.g. Zappos Culture Book) 💚how you recognize team members (e.g. Southwest’s Warrior Spirit) 💚how you tell your company's origin story (e.g. Sara Blakely & Spanx) And just like leaving porridge out for the Tomte, examine how you’re intentionally recognizing & rewarding your team - showing gratitude for how they deliver on your brand promises. If you’re not, you might experience much more than mischief – but instead customer churn. As we head into the new year, it’s worth reflecting on the traditions that define your organization. How are they shaping your culture, building connections, & fostering loyalty?

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