The Power of Culture

As  a senior leader, I've come to appreciate that culture is far more than a buzzword—it's the foundation that amplifies talent and drives results, pushing teams to achieve things they never thought possible.  Understandably, it is also the first question I get when interviewing  prospective candidates. "Can you tell me about the culture of your team?"

Culture shouldn't be summarised or communicated with catchy slang or a vibrant graphic alone. Every choice a leader makes represents their true values and directly shapes the environment in which the team's culture exists. However is not limited to just the leaders, culture is influenced with the choices and behaviours of each member of the team. As a leader you are responsible for the standards of those choices and behaviours.  YOU accept the standards you walk past.

The most accurate way to define culture is to examine who gets hired, exits, receives promotions and receives any extra rewards. It is a leader's role to employ the right individuals and achieve an uplifting culture of performers. Like oil and water, mediocrity and high performance will never mix. When leaders act with intent when building the right team, culture naturally forms around those shared standards and values.

I have found that there are five foundational elements that create a powerful and positive culture of performers: Trust, Openness, Commitment, Accountability, and Results.

• Trust is the bedrock of a successful team. Trust creates an environment where colleagues collaborate freely, voice opinions, and rely on other team members. Trust also allows team members to take risks, learn from mistakes, and grow individually and collectively.
• Openness is crucial for fostering innovation and continuous improvement. An open culture is one where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and feedback. This openness drives us to adapt quickly to challenges and embrace change as a path to progress. It's how we address difficult conversations that are often avoided and how we push forward together.
• Commitment is about showing up fully- dedicated to our goals, clients, and each other. When team members are committed, they hold themselves to a higher standard, striving to exceed expectations. This dedication propels the team forward, even when the road is treacherous.
• Accountability means taking ownership of all actions and decisions. A culture of accountability ensures that all team members are responsible for their part in achieving communal goals. Accountability drives team members to follow through on commitments and support each other to achieve the team's collective potential.
• Results are the culmination of culture. When trust, openness, commitment, and accountability are embedded in every action, achieving remarkable results becomes a natural outcome. Culture fuels performance, amplifies talent, and ultimately drives success.

Culture is not just about words; every action and decision leaders make daily defines a team's success and it's legacy. Constructing the right culture will create the stories and wins you and your team will tell others for many years to come. Perhaps, if you are luckily enough, over the next one hundred quarters...

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