Why You Must Recalibrate Your Company or Team Culture

 

 

 

 

 

How your team works together is vital to your success. As we continue to experience an unprecedented disruption, from a global pandemic to the Great Resignation, what got you here won’t get you there. It’s time to recalibrate your culture.
 

The Benefits of a Culture Recalibration

Many organizations start the new year by reviewing the previous year’s results. Usually, the conversation revolves around strategy. Leaders want to understand what worked and what didn’t.  

A culture recalibration presents a similar opportunity. But, rather than focusing on strategy, the conversation happens around mindsets, emotions, behaviors, and practices. You review the “way we think, feel, and do things here.”

As I’m writing this, some companies have once again postponed (some indefinitely) the return to the office. This provides a unique opportunity. Instead of waiting for things to go back to normal, reboot and upgrade your operating system and thrive in the new reality of work.

A culture recalibration gives you, as a leader, a chance to check the pulse of your team and get input from everyone.

Once you’ve run this activity, you don’t need to wait for another disruption to review your culture. My recommendation is to do it quarterly. Your company culture is a kaizen imperative – you’re never done improving it.

It's necessary to set a regular time to reflect on your culture. Repetition drives perfection. The more you practice reviewing your culture, the better you’ll become at understanding what’s working and what’s not.

Culture matters, but you must show it matters to you. Make it a priority. By setting aside regular time to discuss your team’s or company’s culture, you will not only be able to improve it, but also show that it’s vital.

The Power of Interesting Questions

The quality of a culture reset depends on the quality of the questions. Ask the right ones and let the conversation flow. Just listen. Open-ended questions invite a more interesting dialogue than simply assigning a score.

There are three things that your team should discuss:

• What aspects of our culture are getting us stuck in the old normal? This is an opportunity to identify and address the things you want to get rid of.
• What are the things about our culture that will help us succeed in the current work environment ? This question helps acknowledge the things that you want to preserve.
• What is our culture missing? This question invites you to reflect on new behaviors, skills, or practices that you need to add or start practicing.
  

Now more than ever, your workplace culture will be put to the test. Is your organization ready for the new reality of work? What are the areas that no longer serve your team?

The Culture Recalibration tool is a simple framework to promote crucial conversations about culture. Every opinion counts. Some team members won’t have much to say. Others might be more challenging when it comes to reviewing the way we (used to) do things around here.

The tool is easy to use. However, facilitating profound conversations is not easy. Some topics might be hard to swallow. Others might even put you on the spot. Whatever happens, listen without judging – encourage the team to continue the exploration.

The purpose of a culture recalibration is not to attack or celebrate your current culture, but to ensure it will help you thrive in the new normal--and the next one. The future is uncertain and challenging. What should it be? What could it be?

 Check out two related posts:  

Elevate Your Culture By Having Better Conversations 

How to Strengthen Your Team's Culture

To your greater success and fulfillment in 2022,

Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach, Trainer and Performance Consultant
SMART DEVELOPMENT

 

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Interested in learning how to develop your organization's leadership capability, culture, and employee engagement? We begin with a collaborative discovery process identifying your unique needs and business issues. To request an interview with Peter Mclees please 

contact: Email: petercmclees@gmail.com  or  Mobile:323-854-1713

Smart Development has an exceptional track record helping service providers, ports, sales teams, restaurants, stores, distribution centers, food production facilities, wealth management services, third-party maintenance providers, real estate services, nonprofits, government agencies and other businesses create a strong culture, leadership bench strength, coaching skills and the teamwork necessary for growth.

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