Culture is powerful. It’s the foundation of any business and influences all functions, but it has its greatest influence on your most important asset – your people.
Culture guides all thoughts, actions and behaviours. It is related to your ethics, etiquette and your organisation’s vision, values, working style, beliefs and habits.
It guides management decision-making and how your people conduct themselves in representing your business. And it will be evident in all your communications including on your website and social media postings.
Most importantly, it will have a direct impact on the morale, happiness, loyalty and pride of those who work for you.
Powerful cultures are embodied by a leader and then taken up with the same passion by their team. And as the culture evolves so too does the business.
But just as the fish is said to rot from the head, the influence of culture can be positive or negative. You only have to look at the scandals from the early 2000s, including Enron and WorldCom, and more recently the exposure of the culture of greed in the global banking system.
When culture is established in conjunction with a leader’s personality, it’s more powerful and empowering and will become the foundations of the organisation.
So as leaders, whether that be at the top of an organisation or as a departmental boss, the culture that you espouse and champion has a vital impact on your people. And therefore your business.
Kirsty Craig Associates has over 50 combined years experience in delivering successful HR and people focussed solutions for its clients. For further information please contact us on 0843 504 4653.
A true HR professional with over 28 years' industry experience, and a refreshing attitude to my industry that might surprise you!
