Well, it’s finally happening folks- spring is around the corner. We’re seeing the flowers start to bloom and green begin to return to the trees. Spring always brings back such fond memories for me. I love the feeling of starting anew, getting another chance, and having a fresh start.
This is a chance for us to re-evaluate our work lives as well. Are we going into this new season with a fresh mindset or the same stale beliefs and limitations of seasons past? Are we looking for new ways of doing things or sticking to the same ol’ ways? Inviting a culture of change and improvement into your organization can yield immediate benefits. Of course, company culture doesn’t change overnight, but you can implement a few things to help get you on your way.
Encourage innovation at every opportunity.
Developing a culture of change requires some impetus for change. If you foster a spirit of innovation at every chance then you’re enabling your employees to think differently about a problem or situation. You are also helping create new methods, new best practices, and new opportunities. Many larger organizations we’ve worked with have incorporated innovation so much so, that its encouraged at every level. In some cases, it is even built into job performance metrics.
Challenge the Status Quo
Encourage your employees to challenge the current ways of doing things. Every time you hear someone say, “That’s the way we’ve always done it,” you should be challenging them to find a better way to do it! I once worked with a department employee who had to submit a weekly report to a peer in a completely different department. Well, as it turned out, the recipient of this report never even read it and it wasn’t crucial to how he performed his daily tasks. Without challenging “how” or “why” we’re doing things, you can leave a lot of wasted effort on the table. And if you’re reading between the lines, that can add up to a lot of wasted money.
Reward and Recognize
The more we praise our employees for going beyond expectations, the better morale tends to be. One could argue that it makes other employees feel inadequate, but one unintended benefit of this action is that it encourages other employees to perform at higher levels too. The organization and its customers benefit. Recognition can come in very simple forms too- a quick mention at a department meeting, an offsite lunch, or a gift card to their favorite outdoor outfitter are all appropriate methods of recognition.
Changing a company’s culture can take a long time, but it all starts with changing your mindset. You will more than likely need to bring in someone with extensive expertise for your unique needs, but the tips here will get you well on your way to having a more enlightened, empowered, and expressive Culture of Change.
