Company Culture

Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” And, how about Michael Jackson, who said (sang): “If you want to make the world a better place. Take a look at yourself, and then make a change.”

I like this timely article by Srikanth Devarajan: “Company Culture – the myth and change,” (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/company-culture-myth-change-srikanth-devarajan/?trackingId=X2EWSio5UtMjTIsKxRxY9A%3D%3D

Devarajan states, “… organizations pride their company’s culture and passionately sell their company’s culture to employees and brand it as vital for success. Companies also spend a lot of time and money to make sure you are a fit into their “design.”

In my view, company culture is mostly defined by how it treats, and interacts with, its employees and stakeholders (not quite “how a company does things around,” as Devarajan states). Do employees feel “included:listened-to, valued, recognized and appreciated? Do employees fully understand the mission, goals and objectives; do they admire the leadership, and would help the organization get there? Are they able to articulate the company mission/vision statement, and a “value proposition”, to clients and customers in a way that relates to the customer’s current needs? Do employees believe that they are not just doing a job, but making a good organization great, helping the customers and stakeholders? 

It all comes from employees feeling that they are “included” – see my article on “Inclusiveness”). Do customers trust you and consider you to be a valuable partner? Do they believe that you can help them grow and become more “profitable”? Does the Board value you and your CEO, support your mission, goals and objectives, remain engaged and help the organization get there? Do they take pride in the success of the CEO and the organization?

It starts with ME, and you, and the organization.

Like Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Or like the legendary entertainer/singer, Michael Jackson said, “If you want to make the world a better place. Take a look at yourself, and then make a change.”