Successful organizations share three common traits

I know immediately when I walk into an office if the culture is good or not.” When I first saw this intriguing comment in a group email, I tended to agree, I wasn’t sure why. That is, everyone talks about culture and how a positive culture is essential to the workplace, but what is culture, exactly?

To find out, I asked a few key opinion leaders. I received these answers: Culture is the way we do things around here. It’s the personality of the practice. It’s The vibe (e.g., fun, efficient, caring, chill, determined, etc.) of the office.

Additionally, I went digging for a related book and found The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups, by Daniel Coyle. The book was worth the read! Mr. Coyle spent four years visiting and researching eight of the world’s most successful groups. They included military special operations groups, basketball teams, and a movie studio, among others. In interviewing these groups, he looked for similarities that described top-performing cultures.

Based on his findings, here’s a look at the three commonalities of a successful culture:

1 BUILDING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR EMPLOYEES

As examples, team members feel safe voicing their opinions, the leaders genuinely listen to their team and, they lead by example. For instance, the leaders pick trash up off the floor. They say “thank you” often and also say “I’m sorry.”

2 SHARING VULNERABILITY

A few years back, I had a bad day and was horrible to be around at work. In realizing this, at the end of the day I apologized to my staff for my poor attitude and said that I was going home to put myself in timeout, so I would be better tomorrow. Of course, everyone laughed, but no one argued with me. And the next day was, in fact, better.

(A couple of months ago, I wrote an entire column about being vulnerable as a leader. The irony was not lost on me that vulnerability also was mentioned in this book. Don’t forget to check in daily with your team, and ask for their ideas and opinions.)

3 ESTABLISHING AND ARTICULATING A PURPOSE

This is expressed in a mission statement that both the leaders and employees adhere to in everything they do. Do you have a mission statement? Would your team remember what it is? Why not simplify it, say it frequently, and post it for all to see? When you think everyone knows it, repeat it. A study involving 600 companies reveals only 2% of employees could name their company’s mission statement or top priorities.

Our practice’s mission statement is: Our mission is to provide the highest quality of life for you, your family and our communities in the years ahead. I admit we need to dust it off. We used to say it at every staff meeting and even posted it in the bathrooms. This book was a good reminder of why it’s important.

COMPELLING CONCEPTS

These three concepts help direct us along the path to creating a positive culture in our offices. However, we as leaders need to remember that our attitudes and actions influence everything in our offices, so it is incumbent upon us to create a positive culture. Organizations that have positive cultures are the most successful with the most loyal team members. Mr. Coyle’s research confirms it. OM

DR. CARLSON was the first woman to serve as president of the American Optometric Association. Most recently, she was a 2019 recipient of Women of Optometry’s Theia Award for Leadership. In addition to her optometric leadership, Dr. Carlson is a 2020 graduate from the University of Jamestown, with a Master of Arts in Leadership, as well as a John Maxwell certified speaker and trainer.