Model The Culture Change You Want

Culture change does not require a large personality, cunning manipulation, inspirational appeals, or giant leaps of faith. It simply requires honest intentions, conscious thought, and focused effort. What sort of effort? Effort focused on modeling the new culture for everyone in the organization. Yes, it is just that simple. Culture change is about shifting the Cultural Beliefs that are created through daily organizational experiences. These experiences create beliefs, these beliefs determine actions, and these actions produce results. So once you have identified the new experiences, beliefs, and actions that define the culture and results you want, start modeling the change.

Here’s how “modeling the change” works. Whenever you receive feedback that how you’re thinking or acting is creating an experience for others that is inconsistent with the new culture, apply the Methodology For Changing Beliefs. These five simple steps will immediately get people looking for evidence of your true alignment and sincere desire to model the new culture. Both individuals and teams can use this methodology to stimulate robust dialogue around the new culture and desired results.

1.  Identify the belief you want to change and say, “That’s not the belief I want you to hold.”
2.  Tell them the belief you would like them to hold by saying, “The belief I want you to hold is … ”
3. Describe the experience you are going to create for them by saying “Here’s what I’m going to do … ”
4. Ask them for feedback on the planned experience by saying, “Will that be enough; is there something else I need to do?”
5. Enroll them in giving you feedback on your progress by saying, “Will you give me feedback along the way?”

When leaders honestly execute each of the above steps, they launch the same thought process in those who are watching. Soon others get the message that “I ought to be thinking and acting like that too.” The result? Everyone in the organization begins looking for demonstration of the new belief (i.e., new way of thinking and acting), thinking about the new belief behavior, and seeking that behavior both in their fellow workers and, most importantly, in themselves.

Culture change occurs when leaders model the new culture. To learn more about change methods that do work, go to www.partnersinleadership.com. Find out how you can begin changing your culture today.

Sign up for one of our upcoming webinars to learn more about creating experiences that shape beliefs.

Cultural Beliefs and Methodology For Changing Beliefs are registered trademarks of Partners In Leadership, Inc. All other registered trademarks and trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.