‘We need to work on our leadership team culture.’ That’s a request I hear often as I prepare for a Fearless Leadership workshop.
Culture means different things to different people. We all know what it feels like when it’s great, and we’ve all had those ‘not-so-great’ experiences too. Defining culture, though, is much harder. That’s why I like to begin my workshops by immersing participants in an experience of culture.
Two definitions I often share in these discussions are:
- Culture is the voluntary engagement of humans in search of connection and safety (Seth Godin – The Practice).
- Group culture is the relationships between people working together to achieve a common aim (Daniel Coyle – The Culture Code).
These definitions spark brilliant conversations.
Are we truly seeking safety here?
What builds or breaks that safety?
To what extent are we craving connection?
What is our a common, agreed aim?
These questions open the door to rich dialogue and self-reflection.
Recently, while introducing me to her team, Laura Lo Bianco-Smith shared a simple yet profound insight:
“Culture is how you feel on Sunday evening.”
How cool is that?
Think about it… If you feel excited on Sunday, looking forward to the week ahead, chances are your culture is in a good place. On the flip side, if you’re feeling heavy, anxious, or wishing it was still Friday night, maybe your culture could use some work.
Is this overly simplistic?
Quite possibly.
But is it also an excellent, fast, and free indicator of culture?
Absolutely!
So… how did you feel last Sunday night?
And how do you think your team members felt?
Go Fearlessly -Corrinne
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