IS IT TIME FOR A "CULTURAL EVOLUTION" IN BUSINESS!

ev·o·lu·tion

1. the process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth.
2. the gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex form:

Our business culture needs to evolve from the traditional formalized bureaucratic organizational form based on fear that has been the dominant organizational paradigm since the beginning of the industrial revolution to a culture based on Mutual Benefit.

The purpose of implementing a mutual benefit culture is to create vision and value congruence spanning the individual, the department or team, and, ultimately, to create higher levels of organizational commitment, productivity, process improvement, revenue and cost savings. Through the implementation of a mutual benefit culture we will understand, the economic wellbeing of the company belongs to each and every one of us.

Mutual benefit is inclusive of other major corporate culture theories; however, it is more focused and has a clarity that will penetrate deep into your organizational structure. It is a holistic approach that touches every employees’ reasons for working – both intrinsic and extrinsic.

An organization based on a mutual benefit culture is one in which creative thinking is nurtured and collective knowledge is set free. It creates self-motivated, self-managed and self-reliant employees that result in a flattened organizational structure.

We must:

• be willing to express our honest opinions.
• work more effectively in group scenarios.
• be willing to take risks.
• accept responsibility to motivate others.
• increase our ability to be interconnected with existing as well as new teams.
• understand how to learn from mistakes and failure and have a ‘‘do what it takes to support the whole’’ attitude versus the more traditional ‘‘not my job’’ attitude.
• be more committed at the team and personal level to share our wisdom as well as tap into the collective corporate wisdom of the company.

As individuals we have to stop accepting the hype and propaganda of those in power. A good example is the holiday we just celebrated... Labor Day!

LABOR DAY IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE… MAYBE IT IS TIME TO BRING IT’S ORIGINAL MEANING BACK!

“IF ANY MAN TELLS YOU HE LOVES AMERICA, YET HATES LABOR, HE IS A LIAR. IF ANY MAN TELLS YOU HE TRUSTS AMERICA, YET FEARS LABOR, HE IS A FOOL.” Abraham Lincoln

In my last post I discussed the beginning of a Cultural Evolution that is taking place one discussion at a time. Now this weekend as we celebrate ALL working people, however, corporations and the people of power have been implementing a K.I.S.S. (keep it simple STUPID) campaign that has led us to think of the holiday as the end of summer, barbecues and when you should stop wearing white (really).

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

The holiday developed in the New York City in connection with a General Assembly of the Knights of Labor in 1882. This is also just after the recession of 1870’s. This was at a time unions were fighting for growing in power and fighting for changes to the business culture such as the 8 hour work day. Workers of all ages, particularly the very poor and recent immigrants, often faced extremely unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities and breaks.

While these brave workers protested and created change (many times through violent protests) for the poor working conditions of the past, workers today are protesting through techniques like quiet quitting, peaceful strikes, and leaving the workforce for entrepreneurial endeavors. Workers are looking now towards a 4-day work week, the ability to work from home, when possible, fair wages that allow people to make a livable wage.

A recent study showed that workers are experiencing more burnout than in the past 40 years. Companies are trying to blame employee wages on lower profits, when their incomes have gone up exponentially. They are trying to make the worker that wants a livable wage the enemy, not the fact that their incomes have gone up exponentially, in part through stock increases due in part to massive layoffs of workers.

WE ARE MUCH BETTER OFF THAN BEFORE

But, if we don’t continue to evolve, we will find that we go backwards! It will take a collective consciousness that moves towards a Mutual Benefit culture in business. I have put some free podcasts to get you started.

Corporate Entrepreneurship and Mutual Benefit: https://the-corporate-entrepreneur.simplecast.com/episodes/corporate-entrepreneurship-mutual-benefit-culture

Mutual Benefit Conversation Starters: https://the-corporate-entrepreneur.simplecast.com/episodes/mutual-benefitconversation-starters

Leadership...Time For A Change: https://the-corporate-entrepreneur.simplecast.com/episodes/leadership-time-for-a-change

19 ROI’s Of A Mutual Benefit Culture: https://the-corporate-entrepreneur.simplecast.com/episodes/19-quantifiable-rois