Good morning from a grey day in Vancouver, although we are promised sun later in the weekend, so I am optimistic!
I’ve been reading a recent issue of Strategy+Business (www.strategy-business.com) and in particulr an interview with Edgar Schein of MIT about corporate culture. In it Dr. Schein explains that simply announcing that there is a new corporte culture, or a new set of values and then expecting people to move into it is a waste of time. Culture changes when behaviour changes. He says, “you solve business problems by introducing new behaviours.”
I’m reminded of two examples from what I’m sure are common personal issues. First, in a family conflict, as we all know, it’s not the words that count, it’s the actions. So if my Blackberry is attached to me 24-7 and I’m responding to emails on a Sunday afternoon, saying to my angry partner, “I’m sorry” might placate him/her for the moment, but it does not solve the problem. Putting my Blackberry away this Sunday, and then making that a weekly habit, will have a far more lasting effect, and may well change the ‘culture’ of our relationship. Similarly, if I want to get fit, simly going out and buying some LuluLemon outfits, and walking around the mall in them may be a good start, but I actually do have to change my behaviour and go to the gym, or start walking a half hour every day, to make it a habit, and to actually become fit.
The same is true in our organizations. If there is a problem with tradiness, simply having a staff meeting and saying, “let’s all try to be here on time” is not going to solve the problem. If however I say to someone who has come in late, “the standard here is that you are ready to work at your station at 9 am. What are you going to do differently tomorrow to ensure you meet that standard?” I’m more likley going to see a change in their behaviour, and following up with increasingly firm conversations if the tardiness continues, or sincere acknowledgements if they are on time, will go much farther in enforcing the expected behaviour, and thus a culture where people do in fact value timeliness.
May we find ourselves making a difference and home and at work by changing our behaviours, one small step at a time.