S. Chris Edmonds's Blog, page 7

Culture Leadership Charge – Measure and Reward the Important Stuff

Here is episode 58 of my Culture Leadership Charge video series. This post and video is about what you measure and reward in your workplace.

Many organizations have systems for setting goals, monitoring progress, and noting goal accomplishment. Such systems can be complex, technology-driven, and automated while some are incredibly simple – sticky notes on a whiteboard that move from “goal agreement” to “in progress” to “goal done.”

Some of those sticky notes might end up in the “stuck” column; that way it’s easy for everyone to see where things stand regarding your performance expectations.

It doesn’t matter whether your system is techno-driven or simple. Effective leaders make sure aligned goals are set and progress is made, all the way to “accomplished.”

My culture clients also create a system to track values – how people are treated in your organization. They create measurable valued behaviors – like “I do what I say I will do” for your integrity value – then measure how well leaders and team member model those valued behaviors daily.

With a twice a year values survey, leaders in these companies can track which players are living their company’s valued behaviors and which players are not.

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, I describe how one client’s organization transformed into a purposeful, positive, productive work culture using these two systems.

My Culture Leadership Charge series features short (two-to-three-minute) videos that describe proven culture leadership and servant leadership practices that boost engagement, service, and results across your work teams, departments, regions, and even your entire company.

Each episode’s “charge” is a challenge for everyone in your organization – not just leaders – to refine their behaviors and ensure everyone is treated respectfully at all times.

You’ll find my Culture Leadership Charge episodes and more on my YouTube channel. If you like what you see, please subscribe!

Don't miss a single one of @scedmonds' 50+ episodes of his #Culture #Leadership Charge video series - short, rich, and relevant! #WorkPlaceInspiration #PurposefulCulture http://drtc.me/ytube
Click To Tweet

Photo © Adobe Stock – Phonix-a. All rights reserved.

What gets paid attention to in your workplace? Are values as important as results? Share your insights or questions on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The post Culture Leadership Charge – Measure and Reward the Important Stuff appeared first on Purposeful Culture Group.

Culture Leadership Charge, Episode 58 – Measure and Reward the Important Stuff

Here is episode 58 of my Culture Leadership Charge video series. This post and video is about what you measure and reward in your workplace.

Many organizations have systems for setting goals, monitoring progress, and noting goal accomplishment. Such systems can be complex, technology-driven, and automated while some are incredibly simple – sticky notes on a whiteboard that move from “goal agreement” to “in progress” to “goal done.”

Some of those sticky notes might end up in the “stuck” column; that way it’s easy for everyone to see where things stand regarding your performance expectations.

It doesn’t matter whether your system is techno-driven or simple. Effective leaders make sure aligned goals are set and progress is made, all the way to “accomplished.”

My culture clients also create a system to track values – how people are treated in your organization. They create measurable valued behaviors – like “I do what I say I will do” for your integrity value – then measure how well leaders and team member model those valued behaviors daily.

With a twice a year values survey, leaders in these companies can track which players are living their company’s valued behaviors and which players are not.

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, I describe how one client’s organization transformed into a purposeful, positive, productive work culture using these two systems.

My Culture Leadership Charge series features short (two-to-three-minute) videos that describe proven culture leadership and servant leadership practices that boost engagement, service, and results across your work teams, departments, regions, and even your entire company.

Each episode’s “charge” is a challenge for everyone in your organization – not just leaders – to refine their behaviors and ensure everyone is treated respectfully at all times.

You’ll find my Culture Leadership Charge episodes and more on my YouTube channel. If you like what you see, please subscribe!

Don't miss a single one of @scedmonds' 50+ episodes of his #Culture #Leadership Charge video series - short, rich, and relevant! #WorkPlaceInspiration #PurposefulCulture http://drtc.me/ytube
Click To Tweet

Photo © Adobe Stock – Phonix-a. All rights reserved.

What gets paid attention to in your workplace? Are values as important as results? Share your insights or questions on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The post Culture Leadership Charge, Episode 58 – Measure and Reward the Important Stuff appeared first on Purposeful Culture Group.

Culture Leadership Charge – ONE Personal Purpose Statement

Welcome to episode 57 of my Culture Leadership Charge video series!

As the new year kicks off, many of us ponder resolutions for improvement – losing weight, exercising more diligently, paying off debt, saving more money, etc.

And – the best way to sustain beneficial change is to create a solid foundation on which to build that change.

And the best foundation for each of us is a personal servant purpose statement.

I provide a step-by-step approach for creating your life servant purpose in my book, /The Culture Engine/. Even with my detailed instructions, creating an effective, concise personal “reason for being” that describes how we serve others is hard to do.

One executive recently shared that she was struggling to create one overarching servant purpose statement for the many roles she engages in daily. She felt that she needed a different purpose statement for each – one for family, one for each of her two businesses, etc. “Each of my roles requires different behaviors and demands different outcomes. Don’t I need a different purpose statement for each role?”

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, I answer her question – and help you learn why a single, clear, overarching personal purpose statement is so important in today’s fast-paced world.

My Culture Leadership Charge series features short (two-to-three-minute) videos that describe proven culture leadership and servant leadership practices that boost engagement, service, and results across your work teams, departments, regions, and even your entire company.

Each episode’s “charge” is a challenge for everyone in your organization – not just leaders – to refine their behaviors and ensure everyone is treated respectfully at all times.

You’ll find my Culture Leadership Charge episodes and more on my YouTube channel. If you like what you see, please subscribe!

Don't miss a single episode of @scedmonds' #Culture #Leadership Charge video series - short, rich, and relevant! #WorkPlaceInspiration #PurposefulCulture http://drtc.me/ytube
Click To Tweet

Photo © Adobe Stock – Michael Flippo. All rights reserved.

Do you have a formalized servant purpose statement? If so share it. And, share your insights or questions on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The post Culture Leadership Charge – ONE Personal Purpose Statement appeared first on Purposeful Culture Group.

Culture Leadership Charge, Episode 57 – ONE Personal Purpose Statement

Welcome to episode 57 of my Culture Leadership Charge video series!

As the new year kicks off, many of us ponder resolutions for improvement – losing weight, exercising more diligently, paying off debt, saving more money, etc.

And – the best way to sustain beneficial change is to create a solid foundation on which to build that change.

And the best foundation for each of us is a personal servant purpose statement.

I provide a step-by-step approach for creating your life servant purpose in my book, /The Culture Engine/. Even with my detailed instructions, creating an effective, concise personal “reason for being” that describes how we serve others is hard to do.

One executive recently shared that she was struggling to create one overarching servant purpose statement for the many roles she engages in daily. She felt that she needed a different purpose statement for each – one for family, one for each of her two businesses, etc. “Each of my roles requires different behaviors and demands different outcomes. Don’t I need a different purpose statement for each role?”

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, I answer her question – and help you learn why a single, clear, overarching personal purpose statement is so important in today’s fast-paced world.

My Culture Leadership Charge series features short (two-to-three-minute) videos that describe proven culture leadership and servant leadership practices that boost engagement, service, and results across your work teams, departments, regions, and even your entire company.

Each episode’s “charge” is a challenge for everyone in your organization – not just leaders – to refine their behaviors and ensure everyone is treated respectfully at all times.

You’ll find my Culture Leadership Charge episodes and more on my YouTube channel. If you like what you see, please subscribe!

Don't miss a single episode of @scedmonds' #Culture #Leadership Charge video series - short, rich, and relevant! #WorkPlaceInspiration #PurposefulCulture http://drtc.me/ytube
Click To Tweet

Photo © Adobe Stock – Michael Flippo. All rights reserved.

Do you have a formalized servant purpose statement? If so share it. And, share your insights or questions on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The post Culture Leadership Charge, Episode 57 – ONE Personal Purpose Statement appeared first on Purposeful Culture Group.

Culture Leadership Charge – Recommended Books

Welcome to episode 56 of my Culture Leadership Charge video series.

I’m often asked about the best books for leaders interested in learning about work culture. These are my top selections!

You’ll see a consistent theme across these books: they emphasize values as the best way to create a purposeful, positive, productive work culture.

My recommendations include:

Values Clarification by Sidney Simon, Leland Howe, and Howard Kirschenbaum, published in 1972.
Built to Last by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras, published in 1994.
Gung Ho by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles, published in 1998.
The Culture Engine by yours truly, published in 2014.

This holiday season – and any time of year – these books are a terrific, inspiring source of clear, proven recommendations for creating a work culture where values are as important as results.

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, you’ll learn why these books are my recommended tools for leaders to learn how to create purposeful, positive, productive work cultures.

My Culture Leadership Charge series features short (two-to-three-minute) videos that describe proven culture leadership and servant leadership practices that boost engagement, service, and results across your work teams, departments, regions, and even your entire company.

Each episode’s “charge” is a challenge for everyone in your organization – not just leaders – to refine their behaviors and ensure everyone is treated respectfully at all times.

You’ll find my Culture Leadership Charge episodes and more on my YouTube channel. If you like what you see, please subscribe!

Don't miss a single episode of @scedmonds' #Culture #Leadership Charge video series - short, rich, and relevant! #WorkPlaceInspiration #PurposefulCulture http://drtc.me/ytube
Click To Tweet

Photo © iStock Photo – scedmonds. All rights reserved.

What books on culture leadership would you recommend? Share your insights below and on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The post Culture Leadership Charge – Recommended Books appeared first on Purposeful Culture Group.

Culture Leadership Charge – Be Careful What You Reward

Welcome to episode 55 of my Culture Leadership Charge video series!

What do leaders reward in your workplace?

If leaders want a purposeful, positive, productive work culture, they must measure, monitor, and reward all three of those – productivity AND a positive environment for all AND plans, decisions, and actions aligning with the company’s servant purpose.

The common question I get is “how can leaders measure a positive environment?” Regular engagement surveys are a very effective way to keep in tune with whether or not team members feel valued and validated for their ideas, efforts, and accomplishments daily.

AND you have to get more specific to get to the root of a positive work culture. You have to define your desired values in observable, tangible, measurable terms – then you have to measure them regularly.

Here’s an example. A culture client just completed their first ever values survey. The questions on the survey were taken directly from their newly-defined values and behaviors.

Every person with formal leadership responsibility was measured by their direct reports – their team members, who are the people who know them best.

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, I share three specific questions this client used (of 32 overall questions) in their values survey, the scoring range, and how one leader did. (Hint – she did pretty well, but she’s got some work to do.)

My Culture Leadership Charge series features short (two-to-three-minute) videos that describe proven culture leadership and servant leadership practices that boost engagement, service, and results across your work teams, departments, regions, and even your entire company.

Each episode’s “charge” is a challenge for everyone in your organization – not just leaders – to refine their behaviors and ensure everyone is treated respectfully at all times.

You’ll find my Culture Leadership Charge episodes and more on my YouTube channel. If you like what you see, please subscribe!

Don't miss a single episode of @scedmonds' #Culture #Leadership Charge video series - short, rich, and relevant! #WorkPlaceInspiration #PurposefulCulture http://drtc.me/ytube
Click To Tweet

Photo © Adobe Stock – golubovy. All rights reserved.

What do your leaders pay attention to? What do they reward? Are great corporate citizens rewarded in the same way as high performers? Share your insights on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The post Culture Leadership Charge – Be Careful What You Reward appeared first on Purposeful Culture Group.

Culture Leadership Charge – Master Distractions

What are the most frequent distractions that you experience daily?

If you’re like many workers, smartphones, social media, and small talk or gossip are frequent causes of interruptions and distractions at work.

A recent study by RescueTime found that 35 percent of workers check email or instant messaging AT LEAST every 3 minutes throughout the day.

That same study found that 40% of employees say they never get 30 minutes of uninterrupted work time.

The reality is that workplace distractions are common. Today’s distractions may be primarily digital but interruptions have happened since the days of the cave dwellers.

Udemy’s research asked employees what their employers can do to reduce workplace distractions. 40% said to allow flexible scheduling and remote options. 38% want employers to designate quiet zones. 31% want employers to define cultural norms regarding noise levels and interruptions.

And, some distractions are unavoidable. If an important client wants a deliverable by the end of the day, all hands will probably be assigned to getting that task done. If a key project goes awry, all hands will probably be asked to help it get back on track.

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, I describe how to reduce distractions to increase your sanity, productivity, and creativity – and when when to embrace an important distraction.

My Culture Leadership Charge series features short (two-to-three-minute) videos that describe proven culture leadership and servant leadership practices that boost engagement, service, and results across your work teams, departments, regions, and even your entire company.

Each episode’s “charge” is a challenge for everyone in your organization – not just leaders – to refine their behaviors and ensure everyone is treated respectfully at all times.

You’ll find my Culture Leadership Charge episodes and more on my YouTube channel. If you like what you see, please subscribe!

Don't miss a single episode of @scedmonds' #Culture #Leadership Charge video series - short, rich, and relevant! #WorkPlaceInspiration #PurposefulCulture http://drtc.me/ytube
Click To Tweet

Photo © Adobe Stock – FS-Stock. All rights reserved.

How well do you, your leaders, and your team members handle distractions in the work environment today? Share your insights on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The post Culture Leadership Charge – Master Distractions appeared first on Purposeful Culture Group.

Culture Leadership Charge – Kindness Matters

This year, World Kindness Day is Tuesday, November 13. I hope you’re not waiting until that day to be kind to others . People need kindness every day – especially in our highly polarized societies.

Being kind brings many scientifically-proven benefits. For example, committing acts of kindness – even observing acts of kindness – creates emotional warmth. That warmth produces the hormone oxytocin in our brain and throughout our bodies. Oxytocin helps expand our blood vessels which, in turn, reduces our blood pressure.

Oxytocin has also been shown to reduce levels of free radicals and inflammation in the cardiovascular system. That helps slow the aging process.

So, why aren’t we more kind to ourselves and to others? I believe it is because we’ve been trained – by parents, teachers, coaches, bosses, etc., to be critical – to withhold approval and validation. We humans are much more apt to point out where others fall short than to celebrate contributions and accomplishments.

The good news is that we are trainable! Dr. Richard Davidson found that “people can actually build up their compassion ‘muscle’” and respond kindly to others.

Now, you know as well as I do that in our workplaces, expressing thanks and being kind is not the norm. In fact, TinyPulse found that 77% of employees do not feel strongly valued at work.

We have to change what we pay attention to – and we have to turn down the frequency of our critical observations.

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, I describe how you can change the dynamics in your workplace by being kind and thanking people for their efforts and contributions every day.

My Culture Leadership Charge series features short (two-to-three-minute) videos that describe proven culture leadership and servant leadership practices that boost engagement, service, and results across your work teams, departments, regions, and even your entire company.

Each episode’s “charge” is a challenge for everyone in your organization – not just leaders – to refine their behaviors and ensure everyone is treated respectfully at all times.

You’ll find my Culture Leadership Charge episodes and more on my YouTube channel. If you like what you see, please subscribe!

Don't miss a single episode of @scedmonds' #Culture #Leadership Charge video series - short, rich, and relevant! #WorkPlaceInspiration #PurposefulCulture http://drtc.me/ytube
Click To Tweet

Photo © Adobe Stock – Kar Tr. All rights reserved.

Do your bosses frequently praise and encourage team members – and you – for aligned efforts as well as accomplishments? Share your insights on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The post Culture Leadership Charge – Kindness Matters appeared first on Purposeful Culture Group.

Culture Leadership Charge – Solving the Talent Crisis

Here in the midst of a booming global economy, the battle to attract and retain talent is reaching fever pitch.

83% of employees want to leave their jobs, according to a 2018 talent intelligence survey completed by Harris Interactive and eightfold.ai. 53% of those employees are looking for a job with a new employer while 30% are looking for a new role in their current companies.

This same study found that 47% of CEO’s and CHRO’s believe their companies face greater competition for talent today. 40% say there is a lack of available skilled talent and 39% say they have difficulty retaining talent.

What can companies do to retain talented, engaged team members? The study reveals five factors that would cause 30% of employees to stay with their current companies:

1. A higher salary,

2. A better company culture,

3. Better relationships with colleagues,

4. More enjoyable work, and

5. More appreciation from their employer.

To retain and attract talented, engaged team members, it’s clear that senior leaders must improve the quality of their work cultures.

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, I specify how a purposeful, positive, productive work culture attracts and retains the talented, engaged staff you’d love.

My Culture Leadership Charge series features short (two-to-three-minute) videos that describe proven culture leadership and servant leadership practices that boost engagement, service, and results across your work teams, departments, regions, and even your entire company.

Each episode’s “charge” is a challenge for everyone in your organization – not just leaders – to refine their behaviors and ensure everyone is treated respectfully at all times.

You’ll find my Culture Leadership Charge episodes and more on my YouTube channel. If you like what you see, please subscribe!

Don't miss a single episode of @scedmonds' #Culture #Leadership Charge video series - crisp & actionable! #WorkPlaceInspiration #PurposefulCulture http://drtc.me/ytube
Click To Tweet

Photo © Adobe Stock – fizkes. All rights reserved.

How well does your organization attract and retain talented, engaged contributors? Share your insights on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The post Culture Leadership Charge – Solving the Talent Crisis appeared first on Purposeful Culture Group.

Culture Leadership Charge – We The People

Civility in our society is in short supply. Here in the US, I believe we have strayed far from the foundations of our republic.

The preamble of the US Constitution, crafted in 1787, states in part “We the people . . . in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity . . . “ do hereby present this constitution.

Today, our society does not consistently provide justice, tranquility, welfare, or blessings of liberty for many – much less for all.

Everyone has different backgrounds, experiences, beliefs, goals, and fears. When interacting with people who have different beliefs, goals, and fears than yours, disagreement occurs.

Civil disagreement is a sign of maturity when people debate policies and principles while honoring their fellow humans. Civil disagreement is not available when people dismiss, demean, and discount others’ efforts, ideas, and accomplishments.

We must be better. Each of us plays a role in creating civil interactions or uncivil ones. We have a choice. We can treat others with trust, respect, and dignity – or not.

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, I specify three ways we each can boost integrity, inclusion, and service to others, every day.

My Culture Leadership Charge series features short (two-to-three-minute) videos that describe proven culture leadership and servant leadership practices that boost engagement, service, and results across your work teams, departments, regions, and even your entire company.

Each episode’s “charge” is a challenge for everyone in your organization – not just leaders – to refine their behaviors and ensure everyone is treated respectfully at all times.

You’ll find my Culture Leadership Charge episodes and more on my YouTube channel. If you like what you see, please subscribe!

Don't miss a single episode of @scedmonds' #Culture #Leadership Charge video series - crisp & actionable! #WorkPlaceInspiration #PurposefulCulture http://drtc.me/ytube
Click To Tweet

Photo © Adobe Stock – fizkes. All rights reserved.

How well do the people in your “sphere of influence” treat others with trust, respect, and dignity? To what degree do you treat others kindly and graciously? Share your insights on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The post Culture Leadership Charge – We The People appeared first on Purposeful Culture Group.