How can you keep culture strong in your organization? In these two videos, culture expert Perry Timms explains how to keep culture alive so everyone is pulling together.
Part 1: What Is Soulful Engineering?
Key Takeaways: soulful engineering for culture
- Culture is the soul of an organization. So "soulful engineering" involves creating systems and structures that reflect your purpose and values, moving you "from intention to infrastructure."
- Establish ground rules. These "design principles" outline how you collaborate as an organization.
- Reimagine decision-making models. Distribute authority so that decisions are made by those most affected by the outcome.
- Protect time (and space). Prioritize time for feedback and reflection. Giving people more agency over their time models respect.
Part 2: Keeping Culture Alive
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Key Takeaways: how to keep culture alive
- Culture requires intention. Without due attention, culture can fade into (bad) habits.
- Culture is a living system. Build in rituals of reflection, create space for discussion, and encourage a healthy learning ecosystem.
- Replace policies with "pulse checks." Regular, light-touch check-ins and fixes. This prevents bad habits from going unchecked and also overreaction to small problems.
About Perry Timms
Perry Timms is the Chief Energy Officer and Founder of PTHR, and was previously ranked Number 1 Most Influential HR Thinker by HR Magazine. He is also the author of Transformational HR and The Energized Workplace.
Let's Act: lead your culture with intent
A good culture needs to be protected. Without mindful intervention, culture can wane and fade. One way to do this is to build in "rituals of reflection."
So make this commitment:
- Establish a reflection point for your team.
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This could be a monthly retrospective with the whole team or something you do in one-on-ones. What do people think is working? What isn't working? Create the space to share thoughts on collaboration and ways of working.
Here are some further resources on culture from Mindtools to get you started:
- Article: Understanding Organizational Culture (article)
- Article: Achieving Culture Change in Your Organization
- Podcast: Pain Points: Culture Check
- Article: 360-Degree Feedback
- Article: Creating an Organisational Feedback Culture
Understanding workplace culture
To learn more about what exactly organizational culture is, and how to get it in a positive place, see our expert video resource: Gustavo Razzetti on Organizational Culture.
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