S. Chris Edmonds's Blog, page 9

Culture Leadership Charge – Snacks Won’t Change Your Culture

I saw an ad on LinkedIn recently that made me laugh – out loud.

The ad was for a company that delivers snacks to workplaces. The headline read, “CEOs rave about how easy it is to improve employee happiness, productivity, and well-being” . . . with snacks.

I don’t doubt that healthy snacks can improve one’s energy and possibly one’s outlook. Employee happiness, productivity, and well-being are vitally important – but if your work culture is toxic, snacks or team building activities or pinball machines won’t improve the health of your work culture.

The only way to create consistent employee happiness, productivity, and well-being is to create a workplace where everyone is treated with trust and respect in every interaction.

That’s not easy to do. Most companies measure, monitor, and reward results – and only results. If people get results by withholding information or poaching customers from their colleagues or yelling and screaming at their peers every day – their results are praised and rewarded.

That doesn’t create a healthy work environment. That doesn’t create employee happiness or well-being.

In that environment, snacks provide nourishment so these players can behave badly – because that’s all they know. They’ve been trained to deliver results in less-than-gracious ways, ways that erode trust and respect.

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, I support healthy snacks while explaining how leaders can create employee happiness, productivity, and well-being with an organizational constitution.

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!

#LifeLeadershipElevated When you change how you think about leadership, you change how you think about life. Powerful one-day conference: June 15, 2018. Denver, CO. Limited seating! Register: http://drtc.me/lev8
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How healthy is your workplace culture? To what degree are people throughout your organization treated with trust and respect in every interaction? Share your insights on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The post Culture Leadership Charge – Snacks Won’t Change Your Culture appeared first on Purposeful Culture Group.

Culture Leadership Charge – Act From Your Best Self

When you’re at your best, you are calm and cool. Even under pressure, you are engaged, nimble, and inspiring of others. The work may be hard but you’re a source of confidence and skills.

When you’re not at your best, you are anxious and fearful. You’re hard on yourself and hard on others. You’re less likely to see the light at the end of the tunnel and more likely to believe that success is out of reach.

How do you stay in your best self and not hang out in your worst self?

Comedian Garry Shandling shed light on this. He said, “Most people are presenting themselves the way they want to be seen, and you’re not getting to the core of who they are.”

We’ve seen this play out in our workplaces for decades.

People create a personna that might be gruff or dismissive or demeaning or teasing – because they think that’s what they must be to succeed.

They’re acting, putting up a facade behind which they’re scurrying about to ensure every plan, decision, and action is in tune with their performance.

The reality is that if we’re not behaving from the core of who we are, it’s exhausting. We’re expending energy on this facade. We’re not energized by this performance – we’re drained by it.

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, I outline the importance of defining your best self – being in service to others – and aligning all plans, decisions, and actions to your best self, 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!

Life. Leadership. Elevated. 1 day. World-class speakers & authors. Leadership isn't just about work - it's about LIFE. Powerful takeaways. New date: June 15, 2018. Denver, CO. Limited seating! Register: http://drtc.me/lev8
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How often are your operating from your best self? How do you keep out of your worst self, even when the temptation is high? Share your insights on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The post Culture Leadership Charge – Act From Your Best Self appeared first on Purposeful Culture Group.

Culture Leadership Charge – Expand Your Worldview

How do you view the world? Your worldview impacts your plans, decisions, and actions every day, at home, in your community, and at work.

Entrepreneur and author Hyrum W. Smith’s description of our worldview makes a lot of sense to me. As part of his excellent “reality model,” Hyrum describes an invisible “belief window” which hangs in front of our faces and through which we interpret the world.

The issue is that we humans do not often check whether or not our worldview is valid in today’s times. We simply embrace it as truth. If it’s not valid, then our plans, decisions, and actions won’t move us, our families, or our workplaces forward.

Most leaders are handicapped by their own worldview. They see their responsibilities, opportunities, and demands through their experiences and their beliefs. We all do that. Our childhood dynamics, our family dynamics, our community dynamics, the teachers and coaches we engaged with, the biases we observed and embraced or discarded, etc. all create a belief window through which we see others, judge others, and make decisions upon.

The problem? Our worldview only works for us. Our worldview is flawed – usually greatly flawed – when applied to others. Our narrow worldview limits us and limits our ability to connect to others effectively, to lead effectively, to inspire effectively, or to live effectively.

Servant leaders don’t act purely from their own worldview. They see their role as serving others – and helping others serve others, every day.

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, I describe how to surround yourself with people of different ethnicities, different communities, different religions, different family dynamics, and more – and listen to, learn from, and incorporate their perspectives.

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!

Life. Leadership. Elevated. 1 day. 6 world-class speakers & authors. Powerful conversations. Unlimited actionable takeaways. Denver, CO. Limited seating! Register: http://drtc.me/lev8
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Photo © Adobe Stock – Flamingo Images. All rights reserved.

How fresh, current, and valid is your worldview today? How do you and your company’s leaders engage others’ perspectives to boost the effectiveness of assumptions and decisions? Share your insights on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The post Culture Leadership Charge – Expand Your Worldview appeared first on Purposeful Culture Group.

Culture Leadership Charge – Seismic Change

We’re in the midst of seismic change – in society and in business.

Society is changing, before our very eyes. The #MeToo movement is challenging long-held male-dominated practices in schools, businesses, and communities. Harassment can no longer be swept under the rug. Unfair pay strategies are being exposed.

Retail – the heart of our consumer-driven economies – is changing, before our very eyes. Younger generations like Millennials and Gen-Z’s desire instant gratification, new experiences, and personalization when they’re shopping, both online and in physical stores.

Another societal influence? Digital nomads. Younger generations around the globe are working remotely from far flung countries – living well, traveling frequently, and contributing to organizations that are amenable to a virtual workforce. These freelancers are not buying cars, they’re not buying houses, they’re not getting married, they’re not having children.

These younger generations – millennials and Gen-Z’s and nomads – are changing how every employee views work. Millennials will make up 75% of the workforce by 2025 – that’s only seven years out.

These desires – instant gratification, new experiences, and personalization – are already having an impact on businesses around the world. Millennials are seen as impatient – they leave jobs and companies if they don’t feel valued, don’t get to work on cool projects, aren’t listened to, or don’t have the workplace flexibility they crave.

The problem? Leaders aren’t changing. They’re standing firm on antiquated practices and faulty assumptions that do not create workplace sanity, creativity, or excellence.

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, I outline how leaders must change how they influence others to leverage employee passions, creativity, and productivity no matter where those employees choose to work.

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!

Life. Leadership. Elevated. 1 day. 6 world-class speakers & authors. Powerful conversations. Unlimited actionable takeaways. April 20, 2018. Denver, CO. Limited seating! Register: http://drtc.me/lev8
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Photo © Adobe Stock – kzenon. All rights reserved.

How are these seismic changes impacting your business and team members and company? Share your insights on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The post Culture Leadership Charge – Seismic Change appeared first on Purposeful Culture Group.

Culture Leadership Charge – Purposeful Culture Assessment

How healthy is your organization’s culture today? You may not be aware of the quality of your work culture. You may not even think your organization has a “culture” – but it does.

Whether your culture is an intentional one – with a formalized servant purpose, values and behaviors, strategies and goals – or not, your work culture requires your daily intention and attention.

Based on nearly 30 years of research and consulting with real, live clients, I’ve designed a simple tool that will give you insights into the health of your team culture. It’s called the Purposeful Culture Assessment.

This twelve-item online questionnaire asks you key questions about your workplace culture and climate, including questions like:

* “Our organization’s values are well-defined, with specific behaviors listed for each value.”

* “Team members regularly praise and encourage each other . . . ” and

* “Our work environment builds trust and respect among team members.”

Once you complete your self-assessment, our system will tally your results and present them to you online immediately.

You’ll get your Purposeful Culture Assessment score, accompanied by my explanation of why each question is of critical importance – and why working to improve your score will lead to better performance, engagement, and service daily.

How do you get access to this online assessment and scoring? Simply subscribe to my twice-a-month email updates. While here on my website, click on the “get your free starter kit + assessment” button on the top right of each page. Enter your name and email address and click “I want my starter kit”!

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, I share how my free, quick, online Purposeful Culture Assessment can help you gauge the quality of your current work culture.

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!

Life. Leadership. Elevated. 1 day. 6 authors & experts. Unlimited actionable takeaways. April 20, 2018. Denver, CO. Limited seating! Register: http://drtc.me/lev8
Click To Tweet

Photo © Adobe Stock – vectorfusionart. All rights reserved.

What is your Purposeful Culture Assessment score? (It’s fast and free.) In what other ways to you stay “in touch” with the quality of your work culture? Share your insights on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

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

Culture Leadership Charge – Sour Notes

Sour notes happen in music and in our homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces. We can gain powerful insights from the live music world that apply in many areas of our lives.

Most of you know I’m a working musician on the side. I’ve been playing for audiences in bands since the late ’60’s.

Sour notes in a live band setting happen primarily because of three things: Tuning, key agreement, and dynamics.

Tuning must happen first. As a guitarist, I must make certain that my guitar is in tune before every song.

If it’s not in tune, sour notes occur.

Second, band members must agree on a key. By agreeing on a key and by playing the song in that key, a band or orchestra creates a musical, harmonious performance.

If the band is playing a song in the key of E but I’m playing in the key of G, bold, sour notes occur.

Third, dynamics come into play. Musical dynamics mean there quiet passages in some sections of songs, vibrant, loud passages in other sections, few people playing at one point, everyone playing at other points, etc.

Dynamics create a musical experience for the listener. Instead of everyone playing at once and as loudly as they can – at once – dynamics enable more effective transitions and emotions in a song.

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, my Taylor T5z guitar helps me describe these three things in a live music setting and in our workplaces. Lousy bosses create really sour notes, 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!

Life. Leadership. Elevated. 1 day. 6 authors & experts. Unlimited actionable takeaways. April 20, 2018. Denver, CO. Limited seating! Register: http://drtc.me/lev8
Click To Tweet

Photo © Adobe Stock – vladimirfloyd. All rights reserved.

What causes sour notes in your workplace? How can you use these three ideas – tuning, key agreement, and dynamics – to reduce sour notes at work? Share your insights on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The post Culture Leadership Charge – Sour Notes appeared first on Purposeful Culture Group.

Culture Leadership Charge – What Inspires and Sustains You?

In a recent online conversation, friends around the globe discussed the “civil service” foundation of political office. In virtually every country on the planet, politicians do not behave civilly nor do they act consistently in service to others.

Civil service is in short supply today – in politics, in homes, in communities, and in workplaces.

The discussion led me to this question: What inspires and sustains you? The longer I’m on this planet, the more I‘m drawn to service and grace.

In my 15 year career as a non-profit executive, I experienced some OK bosses, some really bad bosses, and a few really great bosses. I studied my great bosses and examined their purpose, their values, their passions, and their coaching to discover their secrets.

What I found was – at their core – my great bosses were inspired and sustained by service and grace. Some were serious, some were funny, some were loud, some were quiet – but each of them, men and women, were driven by being kind and of service, every day.

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, I explain how “civil service” is within our reach and offer tips so you can embrace kindly serving others.

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!

Life. Leadership. Elevated. 1 day. 6 authors & experts. Unlimited actionable takeaways. April 20, 2018. Denver, CO. Save $50 with Early Bird pricing! http://drtc.me/lev8
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Photo © Adobe Stock – kritchnaut. All rights reserved.

To what degree are your bosses of service and of grace in every interaction? How do you prompt yourself to serve others gracefully each day? Share your insights on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Culture Leadership Charge – A Fresh Start

2018 can be our best year ever – or it can be a year of mediocrity and regret.

Our world is not a beacon of caring and kindness today. Praise and encouragement is in short supply – not only in our workplaces but in our homes and communities.

People do a lot of things right. Validating others’ efforts and accomplishments costs us a few words and a few minutes – and makes a tremendous positive impact on others.

Demeaning, discounting, and dismissing others does not build a strong community nor does it boost trust and respect among our fellow humans.

Each of us has the opportunity for a fresh start, right now. This opportunity doesn’t just come around once a year – it comes around every day. How are you going to take advantage of this opportunity?

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, I offer three proven steps for increasing your kind service to others. In minutes a day, you can help others feel valued and validated.

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!

Life. Leadership. Elevated. 1 day. 6 authors & experts. Unlimited actionable takeaways. April 20, 2018. Denver, CO. Save $50 with Early Bird pricing! http://drtc.me/lev8
Click To Tweet

Photo © Adobe Stock – kritchnaut. All rights reserved.

What will you do today to make a fresh start on the path of service and grace to others? Share your insights on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Subscribe to Chris’ twice a month updates! Text VALUES to 66866 or head here.

Chris’ new “Culture Leadership Charge” series and the rest of his video clips can be found on YouTube. Subscribe to Chris’ YouTube channel.

Subscribe to Chris’ posts via RSS.

Listen to or subscribe to over 300 of Chris’ Culture Leadership Podcasts on iTunes.

The music heard on Chris’ podcasts is from one of his songs, “Heartfelt,” copyright © 2005-2017 Chris Edmonds Music (ASCAP). He played all instruments, recorded all tracks, and mastered the final product for your listening pleasure.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, Chris will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, Chris only recommend products or services he uses personally and believes will add value to his readers. Chris is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Culture Leadership Charge – The Harassment Factor

[image error]We’ve seen a remarkable shift recently – a shift that is long overdue. It’s the #MeToo shift.

Sexual harassment and assault has been an all too common experience for too many women at the hands of men in power – in workplaces and in communities – for decades. Probably for centuries.

Today, victims – mostly women and a few men – are finding their voice to explain their experiences, their fears, and their shame, even though they were not at fault.

At the root of sexual harassment are cultures that not only tolerate predatory behavior, they sometimes encourage it.

Sexual predators (mostly men in power) act from self-gratifying desires. Their actions demonstrate that they have no qualms about taking advantage of others (usually women) who are “lower” in the organization or in society than they are.

Their power enables predators to act on their selfish desires with little concern for retribution.

Consistently kind, respectful behavior between colleagues is not, unfortunately, the norm in many organizations.

We know better. In purposeful, positive, productive work cultures, no one is superior to anyone else in the organization. Everyone is treated with trust, respect, and dignity in every interaction.

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, I describe how making values as measurable as results – and holding everyone accountable for treating others with trust, respect, and dignity in every interaction, can eliminate sexual harassment in our workplaces.

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 @scedmonds #Culture #Leadership Charge video series on @YouTube! 3-minute gems! http://drtc.me/ytube
Click To Tweet

Photo © Adobe Stock – Jacob Lund. All rights reserved.

To what degree is your workplace free from aggressive, predatory behavior? Share your insights on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Subscribe to Chris’ twice a month updates! Text VALUES to 66866 or head here.

Chris’ new “Culture Leadership Charge” series and the rest of his video clips can be found on YouTube. Subscribe to Chris’ YouTube channel.

Subscribe to Chris’ posts via RSS.

Listen to or subscribe to over 300 of Chris’ Culture Leadership Podcasts on iTunes.

The music heard on Chris’ podcasts is from one of his songs, “Heartfelt,” copyright © 2005-2017 Chris Edmonds Music (ASCAP). He played all instruments, recorded all tracks, and mastered the final product for your listening pleasure.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, Chris will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, Chris only recommend products or services he uses personally and believes will add value to his readers. Chris is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Culture Leadership Charge – The Harassment Factor

[image error]We’ve seen a remarkable shift recently – a shift that is long overdue. It’s the #MeToo shift.

Sexual harassment and assault has been an all too common experience for too many women at the hands of men in power – in workplaces and in communities – for decades. Probably for centuries.

Today, victims – mostly women and a few men – are finding their voice to explain their experiences, their fears, and their shame, even though they were not at fault.

At the root of sexual harassment are cultures that not only tolerate predatory behavior, they sometimes encourage it.

Sexual predators (mostly men in power) act from self-gratifying desires. Their actions demonstrate that they have no qualms about taking advantage of others (usually women) who are “lower” in the organization or in society than they are.

Their power enables predators to act on their selfish desires with little concern for retribution.

Consistently kind, respectful behavior between colleagues is not, unfortunately, the norm in many organizations.

We know better. In purposeful, positive, productive work cultures, no one is superior to anyone else in the organization. Everyone is treated with trust, respect, and dignity in every interaction.

In today’s three-minute episode of my Culture Leadership Charge video series, I describe how making values as measurable as results – and holding everyone accountable for treating others with trust, respect, and dignity in every interaction, can eliminate sexual harassment in our workplaces.

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 @scedmonds #Culture #Leadership Charge video series on @YouTube! 3-minute gems! http://drtc.me/ytube
Click To Tweet

Photo © Adobe Stock – Jacob Lund. All rights reserved.

To what degree is your workplace free from aggressive, predatory behavior? Share your insights on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Subscribe to Chris’ twice a month updates! Text VALUES to 66866 or head here.

Chris’ new “Culture Leadership Charge” series and the rest of his video clips can be found on YouTube. Subscribe to Chris’ YouTube channel.

Subscribe to Chris’ posts via RSS.

Listen to or subscribe to over 300 of Chris’ Culture Leadership Podcasts on iTunes.

The music heard on Chris’ podcasts is from one of his songs, “Heartfelt,” copyright © 2005-2017 Chris Edmonds Music (ASCAP). He played all instruments, recorded all tracks, and mastered the final product for your listening pleasure.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, Chris will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, Chris only recommend products or services he uses personally and believes will add value to his readers. Chris is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”