Organic Culture Change

Where do the best organizational solutions, innovations, improvements, and breakthroughs come from? Wise leaders know that these things don’t come from themselves; they come from the people on the floor, in the field, and across the organization by virtue of their day-to-day working knowledge of the organization’s issues, problems, needs, and realities. In a recent conversation with one of our global clients, the CEO summarized his reality this way: “Whenever our people come up with new customer solutions, improved business processes, or better ways of developing talent, they are changing the culture to keep it aligned with the results we need to achieve. My primary job as a leader is to make sure our people are staying Above the Line and focusing on the right results. They do the rest.”

Everyone in an organization, regardless of position or role, has the daily opportunity to change the organization’s culture. Yes, everyone can influence and change an organization’s culture.

When people throughout an organization take accountability for making the necessary changes to keep the organizational culture working for them, not against them, they always produce dramatic, sustainable results. That’s what we’ve learned over the past two decades of providing Accountability Training and culture change services to thousands of organizations worldwide. Above the Line employees (i.e., people who are actively and consistently taking accountability for achieving results) are much more likely to suggest or develop new ways of thinking and acting that result in improved products, enhanced customer service, streamlined business processes, reduced costs, increased sales, and strengthen colleagues—all of which shape the organization’s culture. Gallup’s research on employee engagement shows the same thing: engaged employees (demonstrated by taking accountability for results) are always better problem solvers, innovators, and agents of change. Business leaders who want to take their organizations to new heights must get better at developing greater accountability in their people for organic culture change and, when necessary, even radical culture change, so they can deliver better results. Remember, culture changes one person at a time and accountable people are always your best culture change agents.

For more information on accountability, culture change, and building a Culture of Accountability, we invite you to join the Accountability Community at www.partnersinleadership.com, where you can review actual client case studies.

Sign up for one of our upcoming webinars to learn how you can use accountability to become an even stronger leader.

Above the Line, Accountability Training, Culture of Accountability, and Accountability Community are all registered trademarks of Partners In Leadership, Inc. All other registered trademarks and trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.