Mind Boggling

This article is going to be spicy, so if you are not ready to digest a Trinidad Scorpion, save this for a day you are feeling more frisky...

I have read numerous articles about how "work/organizational culture is b*llsh*t" and none of it is real - it's all just a bunch of corporate buzzwords. I am sorry to break it to you but:

WORDS. MEAN. THINGS.

That said, here is the literal definition from Oxford: 'An intangible system of values, collective personality, and beliefs shared by people in an organization: the company's collective identity and meaning, often described to outsiders as 'the way we do things around here'.

Why do you think it is that I harp on "COMPANY VALUES" so damn much?

• Because they matter
• Because they are impactful (if created with meaning)
• Because they are a standard
• Because you can hold people to said standard
• Because if you lack values, you can't stand on anything (be taken serious)
• Because values help drive mission & vision
• Because, JUST BECAUSE "you" don't understand the importance, doesn't mean it's not...

There is a "vybe" at work, it can be:

• Toxic (inhumane)
• Trash (not toxic, but no one gives a hoot and it shows)
• Bland (it's just a place to get a paycheck and most everyone feels as such)
• Chill (it doesn't really motivate you to grow, but you are happy you aren't unhappy)
• Thriving (people feel hype and want to grow and help the company do so too)

I do not care if you are a boomer or a Gen Z...vibes matter whether you admit it out loud or not. At the end of the day everyone would rather their workplace not be sh*t and the sooner we get to that conculsion as a collective the more companies will make more money because they will listen to the people that make them money by implementing what matters.

Work Culture varies by industry and company. I will be the first to say that many employees are their own demise...they work in industries that do not "fit" their vibe and they need to take accountability for that. But &&& BIG BUT here: if more companies invested into the vibe of their culture, they'd retain a lot more talent (even if the talent wasn't the perfect match, but got them results and didn't impede on what they've built).

Many business owners are good at something...sadly, being the GURU of CULTURE is not their forte. This isn't a dig at them, but it is a wake up call that you need to hire people who specialize in this realm to help you business improve. Stop letting your ego fool you into believing you have all the answers, you don't. A lot of you THINK you know work culture, yet yours is stagnant. It's time to invest into your culture.

PS - I am still on a Linkedin posting break, but I wanted to keep up with my monthly newsletter at least. Hope everyone is well <3 If anyone wants to take their culture to the next level like my clients have done theirs, you know where to find me: workcultureconsultant.com