Culture eats strategy for breakfast

Human connection is our most powerful force and most influential tool. Yet we live in a world where far too often cut-throat, high-pressure cultures win and we are left with a collective of people who are disconnected, burned out, and unfulfilled.  

The average person will spend 90,000 hours at work, approximately 1/3 of their lives. According to a recent study, it was discovered that across America, only 45% of workers say they are  satisfied with their jobs and a dwindling 20% of workers state they feel passionate about their jobs (Euhus, 2014). All before our country was even struck by a global pandemic.

Herein lies a massive disparity and an incredible opportunity for company leaders. 

Why do so many of us settle to spend 1/3 of our lives unhappy, unfulfilled, and uninspired? What would happen if we flipped the script? What if we invested in our people, invested in their happiness and their growth instead of just the bottom line? What would happen in their personal lives? How would that spill over into the culture at work? How would that change communication among each other or the quality of their work? How would these changes change the trajectory of your business? 

A recent Gallup poll showed that employee engagement was the most impactful factor in determining professional wellbeing and satisfaction. Engagement in work is defined as  feeling valued, secure, supported and respected. In studies by the Queens School of Business and by the Gallup Organization, organizations with low employee engagement scores experienced 18% lower productivity, 16% lower profitability, 37% lower job growth, and 65% lower share price over time (Seppalla & Cameron, 2017). 

Research has shown there are six essential characteristics to a positive and healthy work culture (Seppalla & Cameron, 2017):

1. Caring for, being interested in, and maintaining responsibility for colleagues as friends.
2. Providing support for one another, including offering kindness and compassion when others are struggling.
3. Avoiding blame and forgive mistakes.
4. Inspiring one another at work.
5. Emphasizing the meaningfulness of the work.
6. Treating one another with respect, gratitude, trust, and integrity.

We need each other to succeed in this life. We challenge you to throw out the old playbook, throw out the strategy, and flip the script. Invest in the growth of your team and build a positive work culture that is healthy, engaged, and connected. Achieve more than you thought possible.