To identify the type of culture that is prevalent in your organization it is important to listen to the conversations and the language that’s used in everyday conversations. The language used will reveal a glimpse into the unwritten rules that exist. Listen closely in meetings, in the hallways and at the water cooler to the language used to describe everyday events and situations (you may even find them in emails, memos or posted on the wall) circulating within your organization. Engage your managers and other employees to listen for certain words that will describe what’s going on under the surface.
Language is a window into the thinking of how we operate as individuals and as teams. Listen closely to how words and phrases may be limiting possibilities, creativity, innovation or creating opportunities. Culture exists either by default or by design. What type of culture does your organization have coming to life each and every day compared to your desired vision?
Here are a few different terms you can listen for to describe the culture within your organization:
- War Zone: Uphill Battle, Front Line Employees, Bombardment of Questions, Shooting or killing ideas, Attacking Goals and Asking Are we on Target?
- Gaming: Out in Left Field, Second Half Strategy, Team Player, What’s the Next Play, Off Base, One play at a Time, and The Whole Nine Yards.
- Machine: Streamlining Processes, Shifting Gears, Efficiency Planning, Maintaining Performance, Burnout, Program Design, Measurement Standards, and How Can We Crank It Up?
- Finite: Bottom Line, At the End of the Day, Deadline, Final Planning Stage, Last Quarter Push, Wasting Precious Time, Where are the Boundaries, End of the FISCAL, and Limited Options.
- TV Show or Movie: Let’s Get This Show on the Road, Deal or No Deal, The Good, Bad and the Ugly, Family Feud, Build It and They Will Come, Talent Search, The IT Factor, and Do You Feel Lucky.
These are only a few of the terms to listen for, however related terms in these categories will give you the insight you need to know what culture your employees are creating in the organization. Are they in competition with each other or is it a culture of a friendly work environment that supports productivity, enjoyment of job and efficiency?
Culture is so embedded that it becomes like water to a fish, we don’t see or feel it, it just is. A few ways to explore this is by hosting open forum sessions with new hires to get their fresh perspective and/or hiring a trusted consultant to objectively assess and identify your current culture strengths and challenges and where positive changes can take place to make your organization even more effective.
