I had a strange experience the other day. I was talking to a CEO that I have mentored on and off over the last 3 years. I, along with others, have provide him with a range of advice and guidance on how he can potentially grow his business. This advice and guidance is based on years of experience and if given with all the best intentions, especially since none of us are being paid.
During the discussion he turned around and started blaming me and the others for the poor performance of his business. While I have never claimed to have all the answers, i was a little taken aback. Was all the information we have provided him wrong or was something else at play?
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Can culture in a business be managed – yes i think it can. However not directly as in “directed” but through coercion, through leadership, and through example. I believe that the role of a CEO and the leadership is to shape the culture. Not create it directly but to morph it, to shape it in the direction that you want it to go.
This is achieved through a number of things.
Language – The language used in the business can help shape the culture. I think you need to be positive, open, honest, up beat, responsible.
Attitude – the leaders of the business will set the vibe for the business. You attitude determines what is acceptable behaviour. In business, everything is transparent.
Communication – How you communicate and what you communicate is very important. Email begets email, phone calls beget phone calls and so on … live the way you want the organisation to live.
Presence - it is important that the leaders of the business have high visibility in the business. This presence will ensure that the right cultural messages are communicated to the broadest audience.
In short, live the life that you want all employees to live. Be open and honest and they will be open and honest. Have a closed door approach and they will say nothing (and probably resent you).
We have no offices anywhere (except meeting rooms), we have open discussions about the business, and we foster an environment where great people rise to the top. I hate politics and everyone knows it.
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