JS Tip 546: Extraordinary Cultures. Toxic Cultures.

We’ve all heard of companies with extraordinary cultures. The employees get along. They enjoy working there. They’re productive. Their loyalty is high. At the end of the day, they go home happy. Fulfilled.

And we’ve all heard of companies with toxic cultures. The employees don’t work well together. They don’t like working there. Their production lags. Their loyalty is low. At the end of the day, they go home unhappy. Empty.

Two different cultures. What makes the difference? What makes a company culture extraordinary? 

We suggest this difference: 

• In extraordinary cultures, leaders focus on teaching principles. They teach the employees the principles that support the company mission. They allow independence. As long as the employees make reasonable decisions to support the company principles, they’re empowered to do so.

• In toxic cultures, leaders focus on enforcing rules. There’s a lack of trust. Without the rules, leaders fear they can’t trust their employees to get the job done. Employees learn to serve the leadership’s rules rather than serving the customer’s needs.

What leadership styles have you experienced? Those of principles? Those of rules? Tell us. 

We love this stuff.

We’re grateful to Hollie Doyle. She led the way with this discussion and this tip. 

Thank you.