How often do you hear phrases like these from those around you?
“I am so energized by my job.”
“I have grown so much because of my supervisor.”
“I have been stretched in my position.”
Or, how about these phrases?
“I have no clue what my boss wants from me.”
“Most days I dread going back to my job.”
“My boss is so nasty; he is toxic!”
For better or for worse, leaders create culture. This is true in families, businesses, communities, and churches. The chart below brings two essential elements into focus: expectations and support.
High expectations from a leader are those that are challenging, clear, attainable, and purposeful.
Excellent support from a leader includes communication, encouragement, resources, and trust.
The most desirous culture, which also happens to be the culture that contributes to the greatest long-term performance, is one where a leader sets high expectations but also provides the support necessary to succeed.
Destructive Culture: When a leader expects exceptional performance but provides little support. Produces a toxic environment and high turnover.
Depressive Culture: When a leader provides neither expectations nor support. Results in attracting low talent and turnover.
Degenerative Culture: When a leader provides a supportive environment but does not expect much. Produces a relational culture and results in eventual decline.
Desirous Culture: When a leader provides high expectations along with high support. Attracts top talent and produces positivity and results.
Which of the four boxes best reflects your culture? And if you are a leader, which box do you believe your team would say best describes your culture?
No leader is a consistent creator of great organizational culture or team culture. And the same is true of each team member. But leaders have a greater burden of responsibility when it comes to culture. What are you doing to provide excellent expectations and support to those around you? One without the other will result in a culture that is less than desirable, and it is only a desirous culture that will attract and retain the best team members and produce the greatest results.
Contact us to learn how our experienced consultants can assist you in creating a healthy culture within your organization.
Jay Desko is the CEO of The Center Consulting Group and brings experience in the areas of organizational assessment, leadership coaching, decision-making, and strategic questioning. Jay’s degrees include an M.Ed. in Instructional Systems Design from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from The Union Institute.
