How do you address systemic issues in your company's culture?

1 Define the problem

The first step is to clearly define the problem you want to address. What is the symptom, cause, and impact of the issue? How does it affect your company's vision, mission, and strategy? How does it affect your employees' engagement, motivation, and productivity? How does it affect your customers' satisfaction, loyalty, and retention? You can use data, feedback, surveys, interviews, and observations to gather evidence and insights.

2 Involve your stakeholders

The second step is to involve your stakeholders in the process of addressing the issue. Stakeholders are the people who are affected by or have influence over the issue, such as your employees, managers, customers, partners, suppliers, and regulators. You can engage them by creating a cross-functional team, forming a steering committee, conducting focus groups, or hosting workshops. The goal is to get their input, perspectives, and buy-in on the problem and the solution.

3 Generate and evaluate solutions

The third step is to generate and evaluate possible solutions to the issue. You can use brainstorming, ideation, prototyping, testing, and piloting techniques to come up with creative and feasible options. You can also use criteria such as alignment, effectiveness, efficiency, feasibility, and sustainability to assess the pros and cons of each option. The goal is to select the best solution that meets your objectives and satisfies your stakeholders.

4 Implement and monitor the solution

The fourth step is to implement and monitor the solution you have chosen. You can use a project management approach to plan, execute, and control the implementation process. You can also use a change management approach to communicate, train, and support your stakeholders during the transition. The goal is to ensure the successful adoption and integration of the solution into your company's culture.

5 Review and improve the solution

The fifth step is to review and improve the solution you have implemented. You can use a feedback loop, a measurement system, and a continuous improvement cycle to monitor the outcomes and impacts of the solution. You can also use a learning and evaluation process to identify the lessons learned, best practices, and areas for improvement. The goal is to ensure the solution is effective, efficient, and sustainable in addressing the issue.

6 Celebrate and share the success

The sixth and final step is to celebrate and share the success of addressing the issue. You can use recognition, rewards, and appreciation techniques to acknowledge and thank your stakeholders for their contributions and achievements. You can also use storytelling, case studies, and testimonials techniques to share and showcase the results and benefits of the solution. The goal is to reinforce and sustain the positive changes in your company's culture.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?