The Heart of Culture is the key to a Better Place to Work

At the heart of culture lies connection. It shows up in the everyday conversations and relationships that make up our time spent at work a place we want to be. We no longer want to leave our lives at the door when we come to work so are we creating a workplace where people feel loved, appreciated, seen and heard. It is time to #ChangetheConversation.

Love is an uncomfortable word in the workplace where the line between genuine affection and inappropriate behaviour has become a minefield. And yet one of the most powerful things you can do as a leader is to fall in love with people with whom you work. And no, I don’t mean romantically…

It was the late Judith Glaser, who told a story that touched my heart and has left an indelible mark on my leadership style. She was given the task of improving the grades of a group of mentally challenged children. Instead of creating a learning programme with drills and extra lessons she said, “I chose to fall in love with them”. In doing so she discovered what was most important to each child. For one young boy, it was mowing the lawn so they did more of that. And guess what, their grades improved.  And so I asked myself the question, what would happen if I fell in love with my customers, colleagues, partners……

What happens in our brains when we fall in love

 Do remember the early days of falling in love. Everything looks and feels brighter, we overlook the little things that normally irritate us – we see only the best in the people we love. We go out of our way to make them happy and we make time for long conversations and enjoy just being together. So how do we bring this into the workplace. 

Make time for Quality Time

There is no substitute for quality time and you can do this both in a one-to-one session or in small focused team sessions. Create a distraction free environment that provides a safe space open up. This inherently shows that you value and respect each individual and they feel seen and heard. Instead of focusing predominantly on operational issues, are you are you asking:

• What do you need to do your best work?
• What are your key pain points and how can I support you?
• What have you learned this week?

The relationship takes Centre Stage

The maxim that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care is at the heart of building a culture of trust in your team. In the work place we tend to default to action at the expense of building relationships. When you address the individual needs and concerns in your team they feel empowered and will be more open to learn and take on roles that stretch them.

Create a safe space to learn

Psychological safety is a key driver of innovation, disruption. When you give your team the freedom to share crazy ideas, challenges, where they are stuck and where they have screwed up you will create an the trust and support that invites collaboration and commitment beyond the job description. In doing so you are inviting them to take ownership of their own learning, development and results, they become leaders of self rather than followers. And give them the tool they need to do this.

Create a common language

Have you noticed that when people are in love they seem to know each other’s thoughts and can finish each other’s sentences. They sense each other’s thoughts and communicate using a common language using words, a smile, a gesture. They understand each other’s love language and go out of their way to use it. When you make an effort to understand the values, strengths and communication styles of your team you break down resistance, build trust and invite collaboration. Encourage your teams to listen more, step away from judgement, learn to style-step and build common meaning.

In an age of increasing disconnection, we have the opportunity to make the conscious choice to seek out emotional connection both in the personal and digital space. Technology is in itself neutral. It can be used to hide in the group and disconnect or as an active channel for personal connection. When the heart is at the centre of our interactions, we actively seek out touch-points, those magic moments that we remember long after the invoice is paid. What are magic moments that will redefine your experience with those with whom you interact? Give yourself the gift of finding an even better way to live and work.

Bev Hancock helps you have the vital conversations and is working with leaders to change the conversations for a better quality of leadership and an even better place to work. She uses her master facilitation, coaching, learning design, motivational speaking and customised Masterclasses supported by world-class digital tools to align strategy to culture and give leaders and teams the conscious leadership skills they need to be transformative, inclusive and future-focused.

If you want to Change your Conversation contact Bev on bev@kamva.net.