Building Your Culture On Purpose

by Bill Collier

 “The only proper way to eliminate bad habits is to replace them with good ones.” -Jerome Hines

Quick: Describe your company’s culture.

Is it what you envisioned when you started the business?

What the heck is a company’s “culture” anyway?

Wikipedia says: “Organizational culture is the behavior of humans within an organization and the meaning that people attach to those behaviors. Culture includes the organization’s vision, values, norms, systems, symbols, language, assumptions, beliefs, and habits.”

Whoa. As we said back in the 70s, “Heavy, man.”

Since volumes have already been written on the subject, let’s limit our focus and start with behavior. I like blogger Wally Bock’s simple definition of behavior: It’s what we do and say.

If you say and do things enough, they become habits. That takes discipline.

All that said, I suggest that one way to move an existing culture in a new direction is through disciplined behaviors that, over time, become habits.
How do you foster new habits for your team? Well, you could do it the way the Connor MacManus character outlined in the movie “Boondock Saints”: “These are not polite suggestions. These are codes of behavior, and those of you that ignore them will pay the dearest cost.”

Incidentally, I recommend against Connor’s approach.

It all starts with leadership. Your leadership.

First let the team know why the culture change is needed. Then explain how certain new behaviors fit into the new direction.

If you have managers between you and the rest of the team, get their total buy-in right up front. Any doubters on the leadership team will be evident right away, and it will blow your culture initiative in a heartbeat.

The leaders start by modeling the desired behaviors. All day. Every day. They’re “in character” at all times.

The goal is for the behaviors to become habits for everyone. Make them automatic ... it’s what we do around here.

The leaders exhibit the behaviors and encourage them in others. If this sounds difficult, consider: Do you say, “Bless you” if someone sneezes or shake hands when meeting someone new?

How did you learn those behaviors? It came from watching others.

It’s the same in business. A culture is built by imitation – interaction by interaction – over time.

Let’s say you want your culture to include respectful behavior toward others and more celebration of company success.

The leaders set the example. Bad habits like walking away when someone is speaking to you must be replaced with intent listening.

If you want your folks to fist-bump when the company hits its goals, the leaders do it first. Then you can expect others to join in.

It’s hard work and takes time. But there’s no substitute. Want a new culture? Adopt new behaviors and stick with ’em.

“Good habits are worth being fanatical about.”-John Irving

Bill Collier is the St. Louis-area coach for The Great Game of Business. He works with organizations that want to improve financial results, engage their employees and create a winning culture. Bill can be reached at 314-221-8558, GreatGame.com/stl, GGOBSTL.com or billcollier@greatgame.com. com or billcollier@greatgame.com.