Building an All in Culture with Chester Elton

Introduction and definition of the term

Chester Elton gives examples of burning platforms which included AT & T

Managers play a key role in defining the burning platform for their team.

Clarity around the ideas of mission, vision and values helps employees understand where they fit into the big picture.

Exercise

Human tendency to filter out information that does not match up with our preconceived notions; Most teams are oblivious about what customers find attractive about rivals

The importance of focusing on the customer exemplified in Saks 5th

Here are a few ways managers can create a culture of customer focus in their teams

Exercise

A customer-focused culture empowers people at all levels to respond to customer challenges and the ideas are extremely empowering for employees

What Is Agile Leadership?

Attributes of agile leaders. How change actually hurts your employees. Focus employee attention away from the pain associated with change and toward rewarding insights

Encourage “freeform communication,” which is an open and robust exchange of employee ideas

Exercise

There are many benefits of developing agility in a culture. Your people will be more able to deal with change, they will have clarity about the direction of the organization, and they will help you find the answers to meet market needs.

Introduction. The Power of Openness: Openness helps employees regain trust in a work culture—no matter what’s happening to the business. What Are the Benefits of Openness? Openness is trait of great leaders and builds trust with employees. After all, for those of us who work for you.

They do what's right, admit when they're wrong, define the big picture. Great managers also show they care about their team members. They: value feedback, tell it like it is, are accessible, don't hog the glory.

Questions to consider. Activity: Developing a Share-Everything Culture. Consider some ideas on how you might develop a more open and inclusive “share-everything” culture.

David K.

There are many benefits of sharing everything in a culture including higher levels of trust, clarity around mission and values, and employees committed to helping affect the change you are seeking.

Do Your People Feel Like Valued, Contributing Members of the Team? Most people at work have more energy and creativity to give. Many have great ideas, but they will only reveal them if they feel like a partner in the organization.

To understand first the concept of ”connection,” imagine a violinist in an orchestra. If she doesn’t feel connected to the other musicians, what will happen? The audience will hear it. Creating a connection focuses your people on continuous improvement instead of just reacting to day-to-day challenges. Enhance feelings of connection, by really listening to your people. If you want a great culture, you have to take an active and ongoing role in clarifying avenues to learn, grow and develop. Managers can help their people grow and develop by giving them stretch assignments, etc. Some of your people may want to move up the ladder, while others might simply want interesting, solid work. No matter employee’s goals, managers’ can help develop their people.

If you want a great culture, you have to take an active and ongoing role in clarifying avenues to learn, grow and develop. Managers can help their people grow and develop by giving them stretch assignments, etc. Some of your people may want to move up the ladder, while others might simply want interesting, solid work. No matter employee’s goals, managers’ can help develop their people.

What Is a Root for Each Other Culture? Teammates have each others’ backs; appreciate strengths in fellow workers; and recognize what they value most about each other.

The best cultures also encourage teammates to recognize each other.  Encourage Everyday/Informal Recognition. Remember the following ideas in your everyday recognition efforts.

Exercise

There are many benefits of rooting for each other in a culture, including employees who feel valued and want to reach beyond what’s expected, and a team where teammates reinforce the right behaviors with each other.

Avis/Budget

Introduction. Accountability Is Positive. Accountability in the best teams is a positive. Employees want to do a good job, and holding people accountable helps them achieve their goals and grow.

These components are important in establishing clear accountability.

Acting Like a Victim vs. Acting Powerfully. Let’s put this idea into context with an example we should all be able to relate to. Say a parent comes home one evening to find an unhappy child. It seems the boy was not aware of an important research paper due the very next morning. Acting like a victim - He claims the teacher never told him about it. When asked what he’s going to do, he replies that it’s too late now. Acting powerfully - In this scenario the boy would acknowledge reality: “I messed up. I didn’t know this paper was due, but it’s my fault and I’m going to find a solution.

This week, publicly recognize someone on your team who has shown real accountability—perhaps taking ownership of a tough situation and finding a solution.

Exercise

The benefits of clear accountability are numerous. First, cultures where people are held accountable in positive ways are much more motivating for high achievers.

The last competitive difference is culture. And if your culture works, then everything works better.

The Man In The Glass