Culture Vs Strategy

Organizational culture plays a vital role in the performance and retention of your employees. It’s an invisible fabric that finds the employees together. Organizational culture is not just its core values, vision and mission, in fact, it is the unspoken rules at work. Employees pick up cues on culture from what behaviours are accepted and what behaviours are not tolerated by their leaders.

If you want to know about the culture of the workplace, see how employees at the lowest rung are treated. Look if the employee would do the right thing even when no one is looking. As Peter Drucker said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast”. You can have a world-class strategy; you will still fail if your culture is not right.

Leaders are responsible for ensuring that we live by the core values of the organization. Creating a healthy work culture is a collaborative effort from all leaders, it is not just an HR effort. What can you do as a leader to actively shape the culture of your organization?

1.      Build a psychologically safe environment: Can your staff openly share their thoughts with the manager, without the fear of being ridiculed, belittled, or ignored? Is a mistake treated as the end of the career? As a leader, you can help by ensuring that you give adequate time and encourage employees to share their thoughts. Look at unintentional mistakes as stepping stones to learn and move ahead. Encourage employees to take calculative risks and progress in their careers by taking up new projects/ assignments etc. build a productive workplace where regular constructive feedback is shared, small wins are celebrated, and good work is rewarded.

2.      Be respectful always: Being respectful is not an option, it is a basic expectation. You can have a difference of opinion however be respectful always. As a leader you are responsible for setting the tone of how to handle a difference of opinion, be careful of how you are handling such situations

3.  Communicate openly and transparently:

• Share information regularly: Keep your team informed about organizational goals, challenges, and decisions. This fosters trust and empowers employees to feel invested in the company's success.
• Actively listen: Encourage open communication and actively listen to employee concerns, feedback, and ideas. Respond thoughtfully and demonstrate your commitment to a two-way dialogue.
• Embrace transparency: Be transparent about decision-making processes and company goals. This fosters trust and accountability at all levels.

4.  Lead by example:

• Embody the desired culture: Leaders set the tone for the organization. Demonstrate the behaviors and values you expect from your team through your own actions.
• Walk the talk: Ensure your actions and decisions align with the core values and stated principles of the organization. This builds trust and eliminates cognitive dissonance.
• Be authentic and approachable: Foster a workplace where employees feel comfortable interacting with you as a leader, allowing for a human connection and open communication.

5.  Empower and recognize employees:

• Delegate and trust your team: Encourage ownership and responsibility by delegating tasks and empowering employees to make decisions. Trust fosters engagement and initiative.
• Provide growth opportunities: Invest in employee development through training, mentoring, and opportunities for professional growth. This demonstrates your commitment to their success and career progression.
• Celebrate achievements: Recognize and reward individual and team accomplishments, both big and small. This reinforces desired behaviors and motivates employees.

6. Foster collaboration and teamwork:

• Encourage open communication and collaboration: Break down silos between departments and encourage cross-functional teamwork. This fosters a more collaborative and innovative environment.
• Promote team building activities: Organize events that allow employees to interact outside of their daily work routines. This helps build rapport, trust, and a sense of community.
• Focus on shared goals: Frame projects and objectives around shared goals, emphasizing the collaborative effort needed for success. This fosters a sense of collective ownership and responsibility.

By actively incorporating these additional points into their leadership approach, leaders can play a pivotal role in shaping a positive and thriving organizational culture. Remember, culture is an ongoing journey, requiring consistent effort and commitment from everyone involved