FEATURE
Creating a Culture of Excellence By: Dustin DiChiara Owner, Chick-Fil-A, Houston Rd. NKY Chamber Executive Committee Member
10 SIGNS THAT YOU MIGHT BE HOLDING BACK YOUR ORGANIZATION’S CULTURE...
1. DOMINATING EFFECT SIGN: You are the only one who talks at meetings. PRINCIPLE: Cultural excellence is directly tied to engagement. FIX: Make it your goal to have each person in the meeting say something.
2. CONTROL EFFECT SIGN:
Nobody ever tells you “no” or challenges what you say. PRINCIPLE: Cultural excellence is increased with shared ownership. FIX: End everything you say with, “What do you think?”, and then listen.
3. SHUTDOWN EFFECT SIGN: You only do your ideas. PRINCIPLE: Cultural excellence increases when others can contribute. FIX: Simply put, do someone else’s idea.
4. TURNOVER EFFECT SIGN:
MANY BOOKS HAVE BEEN WRITTEN CONNECTING CULTURE AND EXCELLENT SERVICE, including from the world famous DeJulius Group, Mercedes, Nordstrom, and Starbucks. But, there is an undeniable connection between what happens “behind the counter” and what happens in front of the counter. So, what’s the secret to great culture and outstanding customer experience? The most important ingredient is LEADERSHIP. But, let’s get clearer. Not just leadership in general, but YOUR leadership. Even more specific, it’s YOU. There is, however, a problem. We can see ourselves to a degree, but all of us have that space where we can’t see -The Blind Spot. Stated differently, our perception and what we think of ourselves is usually different than what others think. Credited to Lauris Woolford, former EVP at 5/3 Bank, one of the most profound statements ever said about culture is this: It’s people that drive performance. They want to add value and they want to be valued. Get out of the way, empower your people, and celebrate the growth that follow.
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On Friday, May 5th, you are invited to join hundreds of community leaders at Leadercast NKY — a satellite location of Leadercast — the world’s largest one day leadership event. Leadercast NKY offers a renowned lineup of thought leaders via simulcast plus networking opportunities for you and your business. You will learn how “corporate” culture and the power of purpose intersect to produce outstanding results for organizations and meaning in employees’ lives. You’ll learn the tools needed to help you identify your Blind Spot and how to be a leader worth following. Investing in your leadership by attending Leadercast will help you to empower others as well. I’ll be there. I hope you will be too. Visit nkyleadercast.com for more details. NK Y
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT LEADERSHIP? Leadercast 2017: Powered by Purpose Friday, May 5, 2017, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (time subject to change) Receptions 1379 Donaldson Highway Erlanger, KY 41018 nkyleadercast.com
People leave your organization for shallow reasons. PRINCIPLE: Cultural excellence retains people. FIX: Ask people what it would take for them to stay and then do it.
5. FUNNEL EFFECT SIGN: All questions come through you. PRINCIPLE: Cultural excellence increases when others share responsibility. FIX: Delegate authority, clarify roles, and then don’t answer when people ask you. Send them to someone else.
6. BLIND EYE EFFECT SIGN: You do not deal with problems. PRINCIPAL: Cultural excellence grows and trust is built when standards are maintained. FIX: Solve problems swiftly and thoroughly.
7. EGGSHELL EFFECT SIGN:
You fly off the handle when certain things are said. PRINCIPLE: Cultural excellence is marked by a pursuit of truth and reality by all. FIX: Get a coach to help you control yourself emotionally.
8. OCTOPUS EFFECT SIGN: No decision can be made without your approval. PRINCIPLE: Cultural excellence is enhanced when others can leave their mark. FIX: Make your only response to every decision questions this: “You decide”.
9. BLIND SPOT EFFECT SIGN:
Everyone knows and talks about your weaknesses except you. PRINCIPLE: Cultural excellence is enhanced when the leader is honest with themself in front of others. FIX: Fill your life with truth tellers and listen to them.
10. SILO EFFECT SIGN: No one does more than what their job requires. PRINCIPLE: Cultural excellence increases when care is reciprocal. FIX: Make it your mission to care for others personally.
NORTHERN KENTUCKY BUSINESS JOURNAL