Articles about organizational culture, collaboration in teams, and cross-cultural collaboration. Theory and tools. Cases and experiences from fellow leaders, consultants, and role-model organizations. Book reviews. Interviews. Coverage of seminars.
With an emphasis on positive organizational cultures that foster openness, trust and kindness to boost innovation, agility, collaboration and thus results.
Is culture less important in a tech company? While it’s crucial when you provide services, based on both research and practice, the answer is no. Culture matters everywhere. The Supermarket Organizations that provide a service to clients depend on culture. Services are “people work”. The added value is created in interaction with the client and this results in an experience. …
How can you get buy-in to do something about the culture? It’s a question people ask me often. “It’s obvious: our associates are unhappy with the way we do things around here”. “Our factory’s performance indicators go downhill.” “Retention is a disaster: new hires leave within three months.” “Employee health is vital but leaders dismiss it as soft stuff. We …
Flexible work isn’t just the future of work–it’s already here. Flexible work arrangements are a priority for top job seekers. If you need to recruit and retain millennials to keep your workforce up to date, don’t force them into an office from 9 to 5. Especially in a labor market where companies are competing for the best hires: offering flexibility …
Culture can be the multiplier to either success or failure for organizations. As we’ve seen in my earlier article, a toxic culture might cause productivity to decrease by 40% while a positive culture might boost performance with at least 20% – but probably more (estimate based on research and my client work). That makes the need apparent to consciously develop …
Why would organizations invest in developing an effective organizational culture? The answer is that it impacts organizational performance and that culture, as it’s hard to copy, can be a competitive advantage. It’s an asset, as Kevin Stiroh, a bank supervisor, says in Harvard Business Review. “A firm’s cultural capital is a type of asset that impacts what a firm produces …
Whether you are looking for a job, contemplating a move in your career, or staying where you are: what is your ideal organization culture? When would you be at your best? Remember that your time on earth is priceless! Don’t settle for the daily grind. Look for Culture Culture goes deep, from values and beliefs to daily habits, and it’s …
Is there proof that organizational culture matters? Does it really determine performance? Let’s look at the ground-breaking study of Professors John Kotter and James Heskett. They studied the corporate cultures of over 200 companies (including Hewlett-Packard, Xerox, ICI, Nissan, and First Chicago) and tracked their economic performances over an 11-year period. What they found is fascinating: your culture can enhance …
Guest Post by Kimberley Barker When you’re looking to be a positive agent or leader in your workplace, here’s a great book for inspiration! That’s why I’m pleased to share this review by my friend Kimberley Barker. The book “Humble Leadership, The Power of Relationship, Openness, and Trust” shares Ed and Peter Schein’s vision of Humble Leadership and the relationship …
Culture matters during mergers and acquisitions. If you can make a positive start, you’ll ease the process of working together. Here’s the case of one of my clients. Because they wish to remain anonymous we’ll call them ET. They acquired a number of other companies and understood that checking the culture would be crucial for success. George Gentry is head …
“Things weren’t great”, Joyce told me. She’s an internal consultant at a large city municipality with 7,000 staff. Their social department of about 500 people showed alarming absenteeism numbers. This social department helps the unemployed citizens of this city find a job. They offer various training, upgrading of skills, and above all, a network of local employers that are trying …
Kanna Krishnan is a “positive agent” and holds a senior position in Human Resources. He is tasked with developing a progressive culture for BTC. That’s why he used the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) and followed the Positive Culture Academy, as explained in part 1. BTC dreamed and defined their preferred positive culture and ways to stimulate Positive Awareness, Connection …
A couple of years ago, a large biotech company set up its first overseas plant in Asia where around 600 people work to date. Let’s give this real company the name BTC. Their challenge was there weren’t many skilled workers in the region. BTC hired local talent for their ability to learn and sent more than 300 employees to the …
