by edensunshine | Oct 27, 2019 | Uncategorized
Notable management expert Peter Drucker said “Culture eats strategy for breakfast”. It sure is a catchy statement but means nothing if we don’t understand what culture really is. Of course it would help to be clear on strategy too but that is for another time.
Most people assume that culture is parties and gatherings, creating fun environments, great coffee and company provided snacks. It is not, although might be by-product of a having a powerful culture. If we don’t understanding what culture is, how can we create one intentionally? We can’t. So let define culture before I share the four points that keep organizations from building robust, powerful and effective cultures.
As suggested, culture is not about parties and gatherings unless one of your core values has to do with having fun and creating a connected environment among your people. Culture is simply a commonly-held set of beliefs and values that get regularly acted upon by the people in an organization.
People Living Core Values = Your Culture
Let me offer an example. Let’s say you’ve adopted a core value of “We Get Stuff Done”.
The potential definition could be: Our team members regularly take active and passionate initiative and accountability to make sure that projects, assignments and work is being completed quickly, efficiently and resourcefully.
With this core value in action you would likely observe people being extremely focused and committed to their work and the company.
So culture is lived and observed through the active and intentional behavior of its people.
Now that we have a better understanding of culture, here are three major mistakes that organization make that impact the quality or even existence of an effective and empowering culture.
1) Not Having a Well Articulate Set of Core Values
Not having core values well writing that describe the desired behaviors in details is the first big mistake. The value itself must be defined. Having a value like – “We are a Great Team” without a detailed description leaves the desired behaviors too open ended and subject to misinterpretation.
In addition, having a set of core values written and just posted on a wall has no punch or value either. It might serve as a reminded to people what your organization stands for but the context must be articulated. This leads me to the next mistake.
2) Not Spending Sufficient Time Training People on the Core Values and the Culture that You’re Creating
Speaking with a manager of a company that had recently hired some new employees, I asked how much time she spent training them on the company core values. Her response was “None”.
How can we expect people to understand the expectations and behaviors we have of them if we’re not sharing and helping them understand them? Even if there happens to be an occasional conversation on the subject of culture, most companies simply don’t spend time enough time on the topic. Our ultimate goal of our communication is to ensure that the culture is threaded into the fiber or personality of the organization. We are looking for transformational change.
The Level 7 Principle of Threading Culture suggests that an organization creates a systematic approach that includes robust and ongoing conversations and training that results into full organizational adoption. Which ultimately means your people are living it. Creating a wide variety of forums to share the culture like all staff meetings, one-on-one meetings with team members, shout outs and visual and auditory reminders is part of the process. There has to be an investment in time and energy into the process.
An environment of accountability must be created as well. Once we’re having conversations with people about living the businesses core values, we also have to hold people to the task. When we observe behaviors that are not in alignment with the culture, we need to engage in retraining.
3) Not Hiring and Screening for Culture
The third mistake companies make is not being intentional about the people that they are hiring. We tend to hire for skills and qualifications and neglect screening for values that line up with the company. Good hiring practices involve careful and intentional screening of candidates from the very beginning of the application and candidate screening process. Carefully crafted questions are designed to help identify whether or not that person is accustomed to acting and behaving in a manner consistent with the core values of your business. Past behavior is a strong indication of future performance and therefore good screening processes look for evidence that people are likely to living the values when they are hired.
In summary, creating a sustainable, inspired business culture requires clearly defined values, thorough and intentional recruiting for people who will fit the culture and robust, consistent and empowering training. Do so will position your organization for greater performance, differentiation and enhanced employee and owner satisfaction.
by edensunshine | Oct 15, 2019 | Business, Leadership, Level Seven Principles, Principle of Knowing What's True
In the movie Moneyball, Brad Pitt played the role of Billy Beane, the General Manager of the Oakland A’s. The movie depicted events that took place during the early 2000’s when Beane popularized an approach to baseball that is often referred to as Moneyball.
At the time, Moneyball essentially was a way of valuing professional baseball players based on their ability to get on base. The Moneyball approach applies a very specific statistic that focuses on acquiring players that have the greatest likelihood of getting on base based on percentages at bat for the lowest possible salary.
The approach would often minimize the importance of other qualities often favorable in baseball, in favor of opting for a player with the lowest possible salaries and highest on base averages. Lesser known players were acquired in favor of future hall of famers if the statistics worked.
In 2000, the Athletics became the first team in the 100+ years of American League baseball to win 20 consecutive games. I wish I could report that the A’s won the World Series during this time period, but they didn’t. They did, however, improve the teams winning record coming in first or second in their division for many years following the new strategy and doing so with the 4th lowest league salary.
This got me thinking. Is there a key statistic that a business could focus on that would ultimately impact the overall performance of the company? Remember, Beane wanted to win games. He focused on getting people on base to support that outcome. His statistics gave him the information that would help him acquire the best players for the lowest price.
We all know in business what winning the game is, right? If not, let’s set up a time to talk about it. The question is “what is the core statistic that a business should focus on that will ensure that they win at business?”.
The answer is the Systems Performance Score.
Allow me to explain. As you already know, I operate from the premise that:
The key to success of any business is dependent on the quality of its systems. If you want to improve your business, you improve your systems. Since that is true then we must have a method for improving and scoring the performance of our systems.
I’ve put together a simple system that scores the quality of a businesses systems. Using this methodology enables the business to quantifiably focus the organization, like Beane did with player recruiting and the teams strategic focus, to intentionally and systematically improve the business through continual systems improvement.
When scoring a system, the Level 7 System guides us to score four primary areas.
1) Is the system producing the results it is intended to produce?
2) Is the system cost effective?
3) Is the system congruent with the company culture?
4) Is the system easy to follow and use?
We rate each of these questions on a scale of 1-5. 5 being the best. The higher the overall score for the system, the better the system is doing. Once you’ve scored all your systems, then you have a baseline Systems Performance Score.
The business development and improvement strategy of your organization is to continually innovate and improve your systems to elevate the total Systems Performance Score.
Rather than randomly chasing improvement, innovation and growth, the Level 7 System shows us to be systematic, disciplined and intentional in our strategy to growing a thriving, high performance entity. Want to win the world series of business, then focus on your Systems Performance Score.
by edensunshine | May 18, 2017 | Leadership
I am going to be in hot water after sharing this one, but I just couldn’t resist.
The other day my wife and I were chatting about an event I was preparing to have at our home. As I shared with her some of the things I was doing she began to tell me what I should do differently…um…I mean… she offered her suggestions.
I looked at her and said, “You just always have to be in charge, don’t you?”
Without hesitation, she replied, “No! I don’t want to be in charge. I just want people to listen to me and do what I say.”
Not another word was said. It wasn’t necessary.
Being in charge means people are listening and taking direction. But there are varying degrees and methods of being in charge.
On one hand, we can be “The Boss”.
On the other we can be “The Leader”.
At the end of the day both could potential accomplish the same results.
The Boss gives direction, perhaps demands performance. In exchange for time and work, the boss will compensate an individual in the form of a paycheck or some financial reward. The individual that is performing the work doesn’t have to be enthusiastically engaged or even care about the end result. In some cases, their only motivation is to do just enough to maintain the relationship where there is an ongoing exchange of money for their time and effort.
Being a boss is easy. It doesn’t require much other than convincing someone to do the work for pay.
There is a distinct difference between being a boss and a leader.
Leaders can effectively engage people in ways that don’t require compensation. If you have ever served in a non-profit environment that utilized volunteers, you know what I am talking about. Leading volunteers is a whole new world. Leading volunteers requires we get people engaged and inspired to support a mission or goal.
Essentially the leader and the boss accomplish the same thing, they facilitate getting a result.
So why do we want or need to become better leaders?
1- People Need Purpose.
More and more people are looking or requiring a sense of purpose and meaning in the work they are doing. This is not a generational thing by the way. We hear that the millennials are all about work environments that offer them a sense of purpose. This is no longer limited to this generation. Seeking purpose and meaning in work is crossing over into all the generations now. What that means for us as leaders is we must learn how to show our people how the organization can satisfy these needs for them. They need it to be more than a paycheck. I understand if your business is making widgets it might be hard to connect your work to a higher mission.
Perhaps your organization can adopt and support a cause that will help you people see how your business is contributing to the greater good.
I worked with a client in the real estate industry that understood that his business was more than just selling and help people buy homes. He committed his business to helping his people get better and improve every day. He adopted the philosophy that they are in the people development business and they just happen to sell real estate. This cause was very compelling for the people on his team.
I’ve also worked with businesses that determined that a percentage of their revenues would go to help kids in disadvantaged areas by exposing them to computers and teaching them programming and coding skills.
2- People Will Fight Harder to Win.
Leaders effectively engage people in a way that draws out their best. When done well, people in your employ that are enthusiastic about the mission will apply more effort and energy by their choice. They will fight to win.
During the Gulf War in the early 90’s, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait and the United States and their Allies came to Kuwait’s aid. Now I believe the US Military Forces are the best trained and equipped military force in the world. In addition to having the resources they need, they have established a great culture. Every soldier I have met has incredible national pride and is willing to give their lives for their country and our freedom. They will resist any force that threatens our freedom. The culture comes out of a history of great leadership through US history.
When the US attacked the Iraqi Forces and Hussein’s coveted Republican Guard they did so with ferocity and precision. The battle began with an aerial assault from the Air Force and Navy that seemed to decimate Hussein’s Army. When the ground forces finally entered Iraq, the Iraqi soldiers, who seemingly had lost heart and motivation to fight, quickly gave up their weapons and positions.
Hussein was a boss. His military was enlisted to do a job but lacked the heart and enthusiasm for Hussein’s mission and vision.
Interestingly, as the United States and Allies war against ISIS and terrorism we seem to be struggling a bit to overcome a seemingly inferior force. Why? Terrorists fight for a cause; an ideology. They are willing to die for it. It is more than a paycheck for them. Regardless of ideology, their system fosters enthusiastic, focused and engaged support from their followers.
The point is that a great leader and organization can accomplish so much more with a fully engaged and passionate band of followers.
3- Great Leadership Inspires Innovation
Great leadership incites greater participation and potential for more innovation and ideas. Great leaders are wildly effective at communication the goals, vision and values of an organization. Bosses often don’t. As such, people working under a boss lack clarity as to the purpose and results they are there to accomplish. Leaders make it very clear and invite people to look for ways to help achieve the goals, vision or values.
Leaders ask for ideas. And when people genuinely care about the organization, they are very willing to offer their insights, ideas and innovation to help get there. In fact, asking them to participate in the vision and goals of the organization inspires their engagement.
Without asking people to support in the ongoing innovation of the organization, the Boss is often the only one capable of providing relevant innovation to improve the business. That can be a daunting task considering the potential exponential improvement that comes by improving all the areas of the organization versus focusing on just a few that the Boss can handle on their own.
Are you the boss or are you the leader? Be honest with yourself. No judgement here. Just an opportunity to improve.
Are you clear on your vision, goals and values? Do your people really know them and do they REALLY care? If not, you might be the boss.
Being the leader requires intentional engagement and inspired communication that raises enthusiasm, fosters buy-in and invokes loyalty to the organization.
Whether you are the Boss striving to be a better leader or a competent leader looking to improve here are a couple starting points.
- Begin by defining your vision, your goals and values. Get them in writing.
- Ask yourself the question, will these matter to our people. If not, revise. If so, continue.
- Communicate, communicate, communicate until they get it. And you will know when it happens and it will be an amazing thing.
by edensunshine | Jan 17, 2017 | Business, Leadership
“Why can’t you just be happy?” my wife asked me recently.
I paused and thought about it for a moment. “But I am happy. I am very blessed.” Then I preceded to give her a run down of all things I am grateful for including my marriage, kids, my business, health, friends etc.
I continued. “Baby (that’s my pet name for her), I think you are confusing happiness with contentment.”
“I am happy but I am never content. I don’t think I will ever be content. It is simply not my nature.” At that point I gave her a brief lesson on the nature of entrepreneurs.
Understand that true entrepreneurs are never content.
Stop fighting your nature. I have found over they years that virtually every entrepreneur struggles with being content or satisfied. They struggle because they believe that someday they will arrive and finally be content.
Sorry! It ain’t going to happen. Entrepreneurs are problem solvers. Their radar is constantly up and observing things that aren’t working or could be improved. We seek out opportunities to make things better and then hopefully take action to make things better.
We are always looking at things to improve. To the outside world this appears to be someone who is not happy with the way things are.
This nature extends beyond business. It shows up in our marriages, our health, our expectations of our children and so on.
Being an entrepreneur is a gift. We see things that most people don’t. We drive progress. We innovate. We improve.
The moment we stop being content, we cease to operate within our gifting. We stop being an entrepreneur.
Being an entrepreneur REQUIRES that we are discontent. The struggle for many of us to to equate contentment with happiness.
You can be discontent and still be happy. In fact, when you accept that fact that your nature is to be discontent, that in itself should leave your feeling happy.
Why? Because you are operating from a place where you living your true self. Stop fighting it.
Now, there are instances where our nature can become an extreme. We can simply take it to far, especially in the eyes of the others. Like nothing is every good enough. Nothing. This is an unhealthy and unproductive place to be.
Here are some tips that will help you remain more grounded, feel more satisfied and connect with being happy as an entrepreneur.
1- Take time to celebrate your successes. Specifically, schedule time each month to reflect on the improvements and advances that you have made in your business and life. Celebrate privately and with others.
2- Be grateful. Remember to appreciate the things that you do have. Again, make it part of your daily practice. Whether it be a morning or evening prayer or periodic moments of reflection where you stop and observe the good things in your life and business.
3- Smile and have fun. Don’t be so stinking serious and focused ALL the time. Have some fun. Take a break. Enjoy your life and YOUR work. You are most likely doing something that really is special and that you really like doing.
Now go be happy, be discontent and go make something better too!
by edensunshine | Jul 7, 2016 | Leadership, Level Seven Principles
To
day’s message is going to be controversial.
In fact, you might become inflamed by my comments. But hey, sometimes we need to be bold and take some chances in order to get our points or messages across.
By the way, if you’ve got some feedback from today’s post, I’d love to hear it. Fire away.
A little over a year ago, as the Republican candidates for President began to reveal themselves, I was excited and hopeful for the upcoming 2016 election. (In the interest of full disclaimer, I am a registered Republican. However, it is always my intention to be open-minded and vote for the candidates who I believe will act in the best interest of their constituents, community, state or nation. Although, nowadays, finding those candidates is getting harder and harder).
In my assessment and research of the perspective candidates, I thought a handful possessed the values, vision and integrity that would lend themselves to being an effective Commander in Chief.
Overtime the candidates dropped out. One after one, despite their positive qualities, they just couldn’t hang with the likes of Donald Trump.
What the heck! Donald Trump was the last man standing.
Let’s face it folks, even if you adore Donald Trump, you have to ask the question; is he genuinely the best candidate for the highest position in the land? I think not. (For you adoring Trump fans, relax, please don’t take my comments personal.)
For some people he has some very appealing and admirable qualities. Personally, I like some of The Donald’s qualities as well. Some. Not all. In fact, some of the things he says and does just makes me shake my head in disbelief.
Donald is authentic. What you see is what you get. The public is starving for authenticity. It doesn’t matter the generation either. We want someone who is real. Donald, in all his imperfections, is real. (He’s like the Honey Badger…he just doesn’t give a ****.)
Some people, including myself, like the idea that he isn’t a part of the Washington establishment. I believe the general consensus is that people feel like Washington and politicians are completely out of touch with their constituents. People don’t see Washington politicians getting anything done other than serving their own interests.
Some would argue that as a successful business man that he would be effective running our country. Maybe we need some good business sense in Washington.
Maybe Donald getting to where he is right now, the presumptive Republican nominee, was just good timing and dumb luck. Maybe his message was significantly different from the rest of the field that he stood out and garnered sufficient support to get enough delegates from the state primaries and caucuses.
That may be true, but I have another theory.
Donald demonstrated effective leadership and we could all learn something from him.
1- Donald understands the pulse and frustrations that a high percentage of people in our nation are concerned about. He realized that people are frustrated with immigration issues, terrorism, trade disparity, how the middle class is getting crushed and how people are sick and tired of politicians and the Washington Cartel.
2- Understanding those concerns, Donald crafted a message that would address those issues. I didn’t say he created a plan. He created his vision. Build a wall. Bomb ISIS. Deal with China. Fix health care. Create jobs. Build a wall. Make America Great Again. Oh and did I say Build a wall.
3- He effectively communicated his vision in a way that garnered enough support from followers to win the nomination. He managed to engage a passionate, committed group of followers to the cause.
Now here is the interesting thing, other than a couple candidates who clearly stood out as Washington insiders, most of the other candidates possessed a similar vision as Trump. The big difference was Donald’s ability to connect with his followers and communicate in a way that inspired and engaged them.
In my opinion, Donald is not the most effective communicator or orator. He certainly wasn’t the most prepared during the debates. In many cases he acted childlike and immature. Certainly not Presidential. This makes what Donald did even more impressive.
Can you imagine if Donald wasn’t so insulting or divisive? If his personality wasn’t so offensive to some people, the election would be over today. And yet, despite that, he beat 16 other pretty solid candidates.
So what can we learn from Donald that we can apply to our organizations and businesses?
1- You better understand what matters to the people you are going to ask to join your cause, purpose or vision. What’s in it for them is the operative question.
2- You better craft a vision that addresses those things. If your people want to be a part of a business that will provide opportunities for continual advancement and growth, you better include that in your vision. If they want to be coached, you better communicate that. If they want to engage in work that is meaningful to them, say it.
3- Finally, you need to be able to communicate your message in a way that will connect with your people. Donald seems to be speaking people’s language. Like I said, he is proposing many of the same ideas of the other candidates. Donald knows that when he says we are going to build a wall, that communicates a more powerful message than we are going to protect our boarders and stop illegal immigration. Same message communicated in very different ways.
Regardless of whether or not we build a wall and Mexico pays for it, Donald has inspired and engaged enough followers to get him to where he is today.
How are you inspiring your people to enthusiastically engage in your vision?
Notable management expert Peter Drucker said “Culture eats strategy for breakfast”. It sure is a catchy statement but means nothing if we don’t understand what culture really is. Of course it would help to be clear on strategy too but that is for another time.