January 24, 2017
Why Partnership is Essential in Culture Work
Think of the last promise or resolution you made to yourself. Maybe you decided to buy a gym membership, spend more time with your family or you’ve decided you’re going to finally take that work sabbatical and travel to the places you’ve always wanted to see.
Or maybe you decided to use the new year as an opportunity to springboard real change within your organization.
Whatever desire you have or promise you’ve made, it’s always easier when you have a partner to go the journey with you and hold you accountable for fulfilling it.
“I think one of the things that’s unique about working with Culture Counts is that we really develop a partnership with you,” says Culture Counts Coach Sarah Carr. “We get into your world and help you learn and discover yourself, while actually helping you get on the ground to do the practical things you need to create the results you want.”
Our coaches understand that growing your people and your business is a unique journey — that’s why we start by discovering who you are and where you’re headed. From there, we provide the coaching and consulting to help you fulfill your vision.
Affecting change in your organization’s culture
“Culture work is not for the faint of heart,” Sarah says. “People who want to grow, shift, and expand their culture … it takes guts and desire. But you don’t have to go it alone.”
Culture is the character and personality of your organization — the sum value of your behaviors, interactions with others, and attitude toward yourself and your co-workers.
To change your culture, you need to be willing to have an honest and open conversation with yourself. Leaders need to “face” — to look in the mirror and really own what they are doing that fosters, creates, or drives the behavior that is present.
“It takes courage to do that kind of facing,” Sarah says. “And then it takes courage to do the work to change it.”
Facing your blind spots
It is often hard to notice our own blind spots. If we think that we are living our values — but the results are showing something else entirely — this can be hard to see and own up to. And even then, it can be hard to know how to change.
“If you knew how to do it differently then you likely would’ve already been doing it,” Sarah says.
Additionally, tackling culture change at your organization is tough to do while running the day-to-day operations of your business. Imagine you are training for a marathon — would you want to attempt it all on your own, or have a coach that will help make the process faster, less painful, and more powerful?
The Culture Counts difference
Our coaches understand that culture transformation is not just about talking your way through it. Culture change takes intention. It takes commitment. It takes getting on the ground, and putting one foot in front of the other. It takes trust. Our coaches are committed to getting grounded and practical with you in each step of your journey.
From a CEO or manager perspective, partnership is also a must. It requires being vulnerable, courageous, and the willingness to take risks. It takes the desire to have someone be a genuine partner with you to in order to go the distance and affect the change you need.
“Being able to walk side by side with you to go after these amazing things you want to create is what makes us really special in our partnership with you,” Sarah says.
What possibilities could you create with such a partnership?
