In this time of rapid change, individuals, organizations, and communities around the world are facing an overwhelming number of urgent leadership issues. This disruption demands that we pivot quickly \u2014 or be left behind.<\/p>\n
For leaders, it\u2019s time to accept the challenge of the current moment and take strides to change workplace culture for good.<\/p>\n
Our research shows that organizations can\u2019t force change through purely technical approaches like restructuring or tweaking their strategy. What actually determines whether a new initiative or undertaking will be successful is the ability to sustainably change workplace culture.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Many leaders understand the importance of culture \u2014 in fact, it\u2019s become a bit of a buzzword. But what they may not<\/em> see is how once-vital aspects of organizational culture may, in fact, be stifling their progress today. Assumptions, behaviors, habits, and processes get built into company decisions and everyday interactions. It can be difficult to see when such things are no longer effective, and even more challenging to change.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why to change workplace culture, leaders must question long-held beliefs, \u201cunlearn\u201d what they once knew, and reinvent their organizational cultures through bold actions.<\/p>\n The culture at many organizations embraces the \u201cmore is more\u201d work ethic: employees must work harder and for longer hours.<\/p>\n In an always-on world with unlimited tasks and responsibilities, many workers have felt obligated to work harder and longer to get ahead \u2014 or just to stay afloat. An issue even before COVID, this problem was exacerbated during the pandemic as the lines between work and home life blurred.<\/p>\n The problem is that every additional hour of work does not equate to an increase in productivity. In fact, working too many hours undermines individual and team effectiveness, and diminishes performance over time. The better approach may sound counterintuitive: your employees actually need to be working less.<\/p>\n To prevent burnout, leaders need to revisit and replace the \u201cmore is more\u201d mentality with a culture focused on building resilience.<\/strong> Employees across roles and levels must be encouraged \u2014 even expected \u2014 to rest, recharge, and recover, as a matter of personal effectiveness and wellbeing.<\/p>\n To foster sustainable peak performance for their teams in the months and years to come, leaders must change workplace culture norms.<\/p>\n Now more than ever, accessing the full potential of all of your talent is a strategic imperative. Studies have repeatedly shown that diverse teams drive better business performance, and that more diverse companies become innovative, resilient, and better able to respond to the ever-shifting challenges in an unpredictable and virtual world.<\/p>\n Yet for too long, organizations have counted on \u201cbuilding awareness\u201d to support these principles.<\/p>\n Increased awareness alone won\u2019t result in workplace culture change. Most organizations understand that it\u2019s imperative to leverage all of their team\u2019s talent, but employees in underrepresented groups consistently express that they don\u2019t benefit from company-wide diversity & inclusion programs.<\/p>\n For most organizations, the belief that awareness is the solution to overcoming bias has gotten in the way of meaningful actions that could have greater impact.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not enough to provide training to employees about recognizing their own biases. Organizations must go beyond recognizing \u2014 and show people exercises, tools, and specific actions they can take to replace their existing biases in order to really change workplace culture.<\/strong><\/p>\n Effective communication has always been the foundation of a healthy organizational culture. And in today\u2019s unpredictable environment, as information changes and decisions are made quickly, clear communication with employees is critical.<\/p>\n However, in this drive to communicate, most of us naturally concentrate on writing and speaking in ways that ensure we\u2019re understood. Few of us focus nearly as much on listening. When employees are dispersed and communication is virtual, communication is even more likely to be just one way.<\/p>\n But valuable insights and solutions can be unearthed when communication flows freely in all<\/em> directions.<\/p>\n When leaders practice specific communication skills designed to facilitate better conversations, communication flows freely and accurately up, down, and across the org chart. Leaders get a clearer picture of what\u2019s truly going on in their organizations. They become better equipped to engage their people, understand and respond quickly to changing needs, and drive accountability.<\/p>\n If your organization can unlearn the \u201cquantity over quality\u201d mode of communication and drive higher-caliber, more candid conversations, you can change workplace culture, find more effective solutions, and accelerate positive business outcomes.<\/strong><\/p>\n Now more than ever, your organization looks for leadership to navigate this changing, unpredictable world.<\/p>\n So, what\u2019s the path forward? It\u2019s not as simple as finding the right strategy \u2014 you must question long-held, likely unexamined beliefs and unlearn the outdated norms that are stifling success.<\/p>\n Learn more about the 3 common beliefs that are likely holding you back, along with practical tools and actions you can take right away to change workplace culture at your organization, by downloading our white paper and playbook below.<\/p>\n Download our white paper and playbook to learn more about these common misconceptions and specific ways that your organization can change workplace culture to position itself for success in the post-pandemic world.<\/p>\nBolster Resilience to\u00a0Change Workplace Culture<\/h2>\n
Unlearn the \u201cMore Is More\u201d Work Ethic<\/h3>\n
Move Beyond Bias to Change Workplace Culture<\/h2>\n
Unlearn Simplistic Approaches of \u201cAwareness Is the Solution\u201d<\/h3>\n
Build Better Conversations to Change Workplace Culture<\/h2>\n
Unlearn the \u201cQuantity Over Quality\u201d Mode of Communication<\/h3>\n
Challenge & Change Your Workplace Culture to Move It Forward<\/h2>\n
Download Our Playbook<\/h2>\n