Culture
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast” is a well-known quote attributed to management consultant and prolific author, Peter Drucker.
A team's culture is the sum of the values, behaviors, customs, and traditions that make a team unique. It's the personality of the team.
Creating a winning culture in a work team is essential for achieving success and driving productivity. The key role of leadership is to create and model the desired culture. Here are a few key tips for building a culture that fosters success:
Clearly define and communicate the team's goals and values. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same objectives.
Model the culture you are establishing. By living the values you talk about, and putting them into action (behaviour), you will be seen as authentic in your leadership. 'Culture is more caught than taught'.
Encourage open communication and collaboration among team members. This will foster a sense of trust and unity among the team.
Recognize and reward hard work and success. This will help to motivate team members and create a sense of accomplishment. As humans, we want to be recognised for our achievements. Practice saying "thank you", and link it to a specific outcome or behaviour in line with your culture.
Provide opportunities for professional development and training. This will help team members to grow and develop their skills, which will ultimately benefit the team as a whole.
Create a positive and inclusive environment. This will help team members to feel valued and appreciated, and will encourage them to give their best.
Be ruthless in correcting behaviour that is in conflict with your cultural values. Nothing kills motivation and team cohesion like unnoticed and uncorrected wrong doing. Of course, this needs to be done sensitively and confidentially, with the aim of 'bringing them into the fold', but sometimes you need to weed out negative influences and bad actors*. It is critical to have consistently modelled the behaviour being addressed.
Remember, creating a winning culture is an ongoing process that requires ongoing effort and commitment from everyone involved. By following these tips, you can help to build a culture that will drive success and productivity for your team.
Let us know if you need help with your team culture.
David Reeson, Managing Director - Upvisory Pty Ltd
M: 0423 657 968 | E: david@upvisory.com.au
* Keep in mind, any actions you take need to be compliant with industrial relations law and regulations.