Culture is the energy between the walls, not words on them.
In the dynamic world of business, a company's culture is its DNA—an intrinsic blueprint that shapes behaviours, decisions, and overall identity. While many organisations proudly display their core values on office walls, the true test lies in translating these declarations into the daily actions and behaviors of their teams. We at Candour Coaching believe bridging this gap is essential for authentic leadership and high performance.
Understanding Culture as Corporate DNA
Just as DNA determines the characteristics of a living organism, a company's culture defines its ethos and operational style. It's the unseen force that influences how employees interact, make decisions, and approach their work. When culture is deeply embedded, it fosters a cohesive environment where team members are aligned with the organisation's mission and values.
From Wall Posters to Workplace Behaviours
It's commonplace for companies to articulate their values—such as integrity, innovation, and collaboration—but ensuring these values manifest in everyday behaviour requires intentional effort. To bridge the gap between stated values and actual practices, consider the following steps:
Have Your Team Define Clear Behaviours for Your Values: For each core value, identify behaviours that exemplify it. For instance, if "collaboration" is a value, behaviours might include regular team brainstorming sessions or open communication channels. Through the team autonomously defining their expected behaviour, they will recognise how the values translate into their daily tasks.
Leadership as Role Models: Leaders play a pivotal role in culture transmission. When leaders consistently demonstrate the company's values through their actions, it sets a standard for the rest of the organisation. We learn what we see not what we are told - your team will better embody and engage company values if you, the leader, actively demonstrate them.
Integrate Values into Performance Metrics: Incorporate and prioritise the identified behaviours in performance evaluations. This not only reinforces the importance of living the company's values but also holds employees accountable for their actions. Recognising and rewarding those who exemplify desired behaviours will further entrench and promote these values into the company culture.
Continuous Communication and ‘Touches’: Regular conversations, praise and frequent, yet brief, discussions about the company's values and expected behaviours can keep them at the forefront of employees' minds. In the case of new or slow-to-adapt team members, providing scenarios and role-playing exercises can help them internalise and practice these behaviours in a safe environment.
Feedback: Be open to feedback. Channels through which employees can provide feedback on cultural alignment and suggest improvements will ensure that the culture evolves with the organisation's needs. Your team are the culture, their feedback is more influential than your opinion. And the participatory process leaves the employees feeling valued.
The Role of Coaching in Cultural Alignment
Professional coaching can be instrumental in aligning behaviours with company values. Coaches can work with individuals and teams to identify gaps between current practices and desired behaviors, offering strategies to bridge these gaps. Through tailored guidance, all team members can develop a deeper understanding of how to live out the company's values, leading to enhanced performance and job satisfaction.
Transforming company values from mere statements into lived behaviours is a journey that requires commitment, clarity, and know-how. By defining behaviours, leading by example, integrating values into performance metrics, frequently communicating, and leveraging professional coaching, you can ensure that your culture—much like DNA—truly defines and drives your success.
Need assistance? Get in touch today.