Small Actions, Big Impact

Twice a day, I lace up my sneakers, clip on my dog's leash, and go on a walk that resembles an urban obstacle course where you dodge potholes and cracked tiles.

Broken sidewalks have always been a shared gripe among Athenians. They aren't just eyesores; they can be quite dangerous. They push pedestrians into the road and turn entire areas into no-go zones for the elderly, parents with strollers, and those in wheelchairs.

"Isn't this someone's job to fix?" We all wonder. It should be the city's responsibility. But it isn't happening.

And yet, I recently noticed something remarkable. A few homeowners have decided to take matters into their own hands. They've started fixing the sidewalk in front of their own house. It triggered a domino effect where a block that was once a tripping hazard becomes a smoother path. In a city frustrated by a seemingly unfixable problem, individuals have become the catalysts for change.

Fixing Grand-Scale Problems

This change in my neighbourhood got me thinking: When things are messed up on a grand scale, what are we supposed to do?

Here's what I think: we can either get bogged down by how big the problem is or start making a difference right where we are, at our doorstep.

So, what does all this have to do with corporate culture? A lot, actually. As a culture strategist, I've never seen a "grand" culture problem get solved with a "grand" solution. Culture isn't transformed by one mandate from the top. It always comes down to small actions taken by individuals - at scale.

Small Acts, Big Impact

It's the folks down in the trenches—team leaders and individual team members—who are most likely to influence the culture. Their everyday interactions set the tone, shape the vibe, and either lift people up or bring them down. There's science to back this up. Studies suggest that peer influence often holds more sway than any directive from an authority figure, especially if that figure is a few levels removed.

Your Doorstep Matters

You don't have to be at the top to make a difference. Your "doorstep" is where you have the most impact. For a team leader, it might be the way they foster open communication within the team. For a team member, it might be the commitment to high-quality work or a can-do attitude. These actions might seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but trust me, they add up.

Domino Effect in Action

When you start to make changes on a small scale, others often follow suit. It's that domino effect again. This ripple of positive change can spread far and wide, gradually improving the broader culture. It's not about waiting for some "higher power" to fix things; it's about taking charge, doing your bit, and inspiring others to do the same.

Start Where You Are

When things are messed up on a grand scale—whether it's broken sidewalks or less-than-optimal work environment—your choices matter. You can get stuck in the enormity of the problem or channel your energy into making a difference on a small scale. That's how real change starts: with small actions we take right outside our doorstep.

A Blueprint For Your "Doorstep Revolution"

This exercise is designed to help you identify how to initiate a meaningful cultural change right where it matters most - at your doorstep, within your own team.

Objective: Identify a large-scale culture issue that impacts your ability to do great work and devise small, actionable solutions you and your team members can implement within your immediate work environment.

1. Identify the Grand-Scale Issue: First, identify an insurmountable culture problem in your organization. Here are some examples from the teams I worked with to get your thoughts flowing: short-term focus, competitiveness over collaboration, lack of psychological safety.
2. Dig Deeper: Reflect on how this issue shows up in your day-to-day work life. Are there specific behaviours or incidents that come to mind? Jot them down.
3. Pinpoint Your "Doorstep": Consider your immediate scope of influence—your team, a project you're working on, or even your individual contributions. This is where you can make an impact.
4. Brainstorm Small-Scale Solutions: Inspired by the examples above, think about small changes you can make. If the issue is a short-term focus, how can you bring long-term goals into team meetings or project plans? If it’s competitiveness over collaboration, could you initiate a joint project that necessitates teamwork? And if it's a lack of psychological safety, what steps can you take to encourage open dialogue and make everyone feel heard?
5. Take Action: Implement one or two of these small-scale solutions in your immediate environment.
6. Observe and Adjust: Keep an eye on the ripple effect. If you notice a positive shift, double down. If not, be ready to try something else.

Making a big difference always starts with small actions. In tackling these issues right at your front door, you're taking the first steps toward turning the tide on a grand-scale culture problem.

Share Your Journey: Now that you’ve pinpointed a problem and mapped out small, actionable steps, I'd love to hear from you. What’s one culture issue you’re taking on, right at your 'front door'? How are you going about it? Your insights can inspire others, so share your thoughts and let's keep this conversation going!

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