One Mountaineers Advice on Building Sustaining Workplace Culture

OK, I would like everyone reading this to point due north...I would venture to say that many of us are pointing in different directions. Establishing what due north is for an organization only starts the journey to a successful culture program. Defining north means we know where we are. We know where we are going. And we all work together to head in that direction. As a mountaineer, I methodically plan. I plan various routes. I have many maps and books. I also have a compass that will lead me should the unexpected arise. This, for me, is instrumental in establishing the direction in which I want to go...even in the dark of night or the most unforeseen circumstances. However, this is only the beginning of my journey. Talking about doing something and planning to do something does not mean actually doing it. I mean really doing it.

A workplace culture on paper is not necessarily indicative of a work place culture in action, just like my planning and maps do not guarantee that I will achieve the summit. The next part, in my opinion is the hardest part...actually doing it. Culture is organic by nature. It changes and morphs and must be cultivated and grown. Culture is much like a plant. Without water or nourishment over a period of time, it will most likely wither and die. What is more important, a marketing tool of saying that your organization has a culture or seeing it and feeling it in action? Action, not words, define whether the culture has absorbed and taken hold in a lasting and sustaining way. You can simply walk into an organization and feel the culture in action. Now comes the fun part.

When you climb a dangerous or glaciated mountain typically you are roped in with several other climbers. This means life or death. Your life and theirs are intertwined. Success and failure also reside with your fellow climbers. Let me be clear...on a mountain there are no fancy job titles. There is only a true team that must function as a unit together to achieve their goals and dreams. One weaker member that is not properly motivated or supported can spell disaster for the entire group. You will either succeed or fail based upon these simple facts. You have to know your team and have a customizable approach to each individual as to what motivates them and feeds their desires. If you are able to obtain this state of euphoria and balance, success is inevitable.

This methodology translates quite nicely to the workplace and culture programs. As a leader, knowing what motivates each member of your team and stripping yourself of the vanity of job titles will make you successful in obtaining your goals for your team and the organization as a whole. In this type of environment, culture will thrive and the impossible will suddenly seem quite possible. By also using the Kaizen technique of small, calculated, and obtainable steps to reach a goal will always prevail. It has for me hundreds of times and it can for you too.

Knowing where you are going, speaking the same language, and how to get there is the crux of building sustaining culture and mountain climbing. For me, it may take hundreds of thousands of firm and strong steps. For others, it may be less. I may get there far later than you, but rest assured, if you are patient and wait for me, I will see you on the top. There are no substitutes for individual support and teamwork. Culture isn't on paper or on a map. That is just the start. At any rate, first you must build something strong to climb. Believe in yourself and the world will believe in you. I promise.