Corporate culture doesn’t just happen. Ultimately, someone is responsible for the cultural climate of the organization. Take Chick-fil-A, for example. There is a specific culture found within any Chick-fil-A restaurant you walk into. Who is responsible for this culture? It isn’t the manager of the store or the person behind the counter taking your order. Corporate culture isn’t the result of the workers but is always the result of the to leader. Often times top leaders blame others for the culture of the organization. “If only I had better leaders,” or “If my staff really bought into the vision,” or “If only my team was more _______.” And the list goes on and on.
The reality is without a great leader leading the way, even the best in each of those categories will never reach the full potential of their own gifting, let alone the entire culture. The leader sets the tone and pace of the culture. A negative culture is ultimately the responsibility of the leader.
Some of us may not be the “top” leader and therefore think this doesn’t apply to us. However, all of us are the “top leader” in some area. Whether it be the leader or the department at work, ministry at church, or our own family, we are likely to be in a place of influence or will soon be in that place. Here are a few suggestions.
1. Take responsibility – take the blame. Don’t pass the buck. Don’t justify why things are the way they are. Don’t blame someone else. Look in the mirror and see what you’ve done to contribute both positively and negatively.
2. Take responsibility – make the change. After looking in the mirror to see what part you play, you must realize that you are the only person you have the ability to change. Often times people think that they have the ability to cause others to change. Unfortunately, this is likely not the case. You’re ultimately the person that needs to change so do whatever it takes to do just that.
3. Take responsibility – influence the culture. Do something. Do something even if it’s wrong. Fail if you have to. True change in a culture (whether corporate or societal) never happens unless someone individually first experiences lasting, radical change. Your change will result in the change of the culture as you impact those around you. You want to see a more positive work environment? Then don’t get down on those when they aren’t positive; be positive. You want to see an atmosphere of cooperation and transparency among your team? Then you be the most cooperative and transparent person on that team.
It all starts with us.
