Tom Peters believes: “There is no excuse for not making any organization of any size in any business a great place to work.”

How do you want people to describe your culture? How do people describe your culture? How you would like to be described is how you are described, you will have a powerful, engaging, productive environment.

Truth be told, every organization has a gap between the ideal and the real. The ongoing, never-ending, daily challenge is to shrink the gap. Never lose sight of what you want the culture to be.

Make your culture intentional. Your culture is who you are, it’s what you do, it’s why you do it, and how you do it. It’s how things get done around here.

Culture expresses how you will be, what you will do, and everything in between. This is where the talk ends and the action begins.

Culture is created and sustained by activating these principles using Culture as an acrostic:

C - Continually Evangelize, Reinforce, and Live the Mission, Vision, and Values. Your purpose, vision for the future, and expected attitudes and behaviors need life.

Breathe into them by “Being It!”

U – Understand What Is Important to the Team. The only way to know what is important to people is to “know” people. Build relationships. Show you care.

L – Listen. It’s not what you think. It’s not what you think team members think. It’s what they think that really matters. Listen to their heart.

T – Take Ownership of How Your Team Interaction Feels. Leaders need to continually gauge the emotional climate and engagement level and adjust, as necessary.

U – Unified Leadership Team. Without it. . .the culture gap is never eliminated. Everyone is on the same page.

R – Reinforce Desirable Behaviors and Outcomes. If you want it, reinforce it.

E – Expectations Clearly Defined and Communicated. When expectations are foggy, results will be stormy.

“Organizational culture is a combination of behaviors and attitudes exhibited by leaders and employees across an organization that create the underlying vibe of that company.” - Cara Silletto