Unlocking Company Culture: Actual vs. Aspirational
Are you looking for ways to refine and improve your company's culture? Do you want to know how to make sure it accurately reflects the actual values of your organization? In this episode of The Leadership Hustle, Andrea and Michelle discuss why it’s important to get company culture right; whether it should be actual or aspirational.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
Expand Your Leadership Skills.
How Do You Improve Company Culture in Your Organization?
How do you improve company culture within your organization? This is a never-ending question that many businesses struggle to find a clear answer to.The truth is that as long as you don’t know what company culture is and what type of company culture your business needs, you will never be able to improve it. But don’t worry; we are here to help you build the company culture you need to start seeing the results you want. In this Leadership Hustle episode, Andrea Fredrikson and Michelle Hill talk about why culture is important and what you need to be doing to get it right.
The Fake Company Culture
Have you ever felt like your team members and employees are acting like robots, just doing whatever they are told without questioning it? This type of behavior can get pretty exhausting for leaders when trying to come up with fresh ideas and innovative solutions. If this is your case, don’t worry; you are not alone. We often see this phenomenon in multiple organizations, where leaders believe they have a great company culture, but in reality, employees are afraid to speak out or feel unmotivated because of a lack of company culture.
So, how can you change this?
The Company Culture Definition Problem
At Revela, we have asked tons of leaders and business owners about what their company culture is, and almost all of them showed us their company values. Many organizations struggle to build good company culture strategies because they believe that values and vision equal culture; therefore, they waste time and resources fixing the wrong problem. So, what exactly is company culture, and why are values often intertwined with the concept of cultural organization?
Company Culture 101
Culture can mean many different things to many different people, but in business, culture, at its core, is the way people do things within a specific group. Culture serves as the foundation upon which relationships are built, collaboration thrives, and teams are formed. It sets the tone for how employees communicate, make decisions, and approach their work.
A strong company culture not only fosters a positive and inclusive environment but also aligns the entire team towards a common mission and vision. Values, on the other hand, are the nonnegotiable guiding principles of your company. Sure, values can shape the path of company culture, but they do not necessarily dictate the way people do their job within an organization.
How Do You Improve Company Culture: Main Aspect to Consider
Company culture can come in very different sizes, shapes, and colors; there is no good or bad way to do company culture. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Each organization has its own unique needs and ways of operating, so company culture can change drastically; therefore, there are many dynamics to take into consideration. There are, however, some key aspects that can be considered when evaluating and improving company culture.
Collaboration vs. Independence
One aspect to consider is the balance between independence and collaboration within the organization. Some companies thrive on individual autonomy and give employees the freedom to work independently, while others emphasize teamwork and encourage collaboration. Finding the right balance that aligns with the organization's goals and values is crucial.
Psychological Safety
Creating a psychologically safe environment is another important aspect of company culture. Psychological safety refers to an environment where individuals feel safe to take risks, speak up, and express their opinions without fear of negative consequences. Fostering a culture of trust, respect, and open communication helps to promote psychological safety and encourages employees to contribute their ideas and perspectives.
Inclusivity and Diversity
Embracing diversity in all its forms, including ethnicity, gender, age, and background, can foster innovation, new ways of thinking, and fresh perspectives (if that’s what your company wants.) You can promote diversity and inclusion through policies, programs, and initiatives that celebrate and support all employees.
Effective Communication
Communication plays a central role in shaping company culture. Encouraging clear and transparent communication channels helps to foster a sense of belonging and ensures that information flows freely throughout the organization. Regular team meetings, town halls, and feedback sessions can facilitate open dialogue and strengthen relationships among employees.
Continuous Improvement
Cultivating a culture of continuous improvement is essential for staying agile and adapting to changing circumstances. Encouraging a growth mindset and providing opportunities for learning and development helps employees expand their skills and knowledge, fostering personal and professional growth.
How Do You Improve Company Culture With Intention
Creating and nurturing a strong company culture requires intentionality. By being deliberate in shaping the culture, you can align it with your business goals and values, ultimately enhancing your company's reputation both internally and externally.Your company's reputation is a reflection of its culture.
It influences how current and potential employees perceive your organization and can impact your ability to attract and retain top talent. So, try to be mindful of what you say and how you interact with others, and try to build the culture your business needs to achieve its goals. Your job as a leader is to set an example to build a healthy and positive company culture. Are you setting the right example?
How Do You Improve Company Culture With Revela
We know that starting to build the company culture you want can be challenging, especially for leaders who already have many things on their plate. Don’t worry; at Revela we have a team of experts ready to identify areas of improvement and implement strategies for growth.
Contact Revela today and start building the company culture your business needs.
About the Hosts
Andrea Fredrickson
Andrea Fredrickson is a thought leader and consultant at Revela, an organization based in Omaha, Nebraska specializing in the development of leaders, culture alignment, and business strategy for private and family businesses of all sizes. Revela is one of the region's most experienced thought challengers, helping individuals and companies find their greatness. Andrea has built an amazing team by believing that fundamentally people want to be successful and become better versions of themselves.
-
Andrea has degrees in education, management, and business. She is the author of Insight Unseen; How to lead with 20/20 business vision. She helps people see things differently, self-reflect, and never stop looking for ways to improve themselves on a personal and professional level. Andrea has spent more than 30 years researching and developing methods to help people communicate and lead more effectively.
When Andrea isn’t working with clients, you’ll find her spending time with her family & friends and making memories by exploring new cities.
Michelle Hill
Michelle Hill is a master facilitator and coach at Revela, an organization specializing in the development of leaders and aligning the culture of privately held and family businesses of all sizes. Revela is one of the region's most experienced thought challengers, helping individuals and companies find their greatness.
-
An ambitious leader, Michelle has the natural ability to create forward momentum to build teams and get results. She inspires others to look within themselves and to challenge the status quo. She helps create high-performing environments. Michelle brings a diverse background: operations, employee development, and sales in the steel, hospitality, and consulting industries.
Outside of work, you will see her competitive side engaged in her daughter’s sports and ISU athletics. She loves life, her four-legged companions, and captures all the moments through her camera’s lens.
TRANSCRIPT
Andrea Frederickson: So here's a question is how you describe the culture of your company different than the way your employees do? And in fact, when you describe the culture of your company, is it accurate or is it aspirational? In today's episode of The Leadership Hustle, we'll talk a little bit about how important culture is and how to get it right. Hello and welcome to The Leadership Hustle. For executives whose companies are growing fast and need leaders who are ready.