“He does great work but just doesn’t fit in!” Sound familiar? Have you hung on too long to an employee because they are a high producer, but they rub everyone the wrong way? Have you sacrificed the long term impact on the culture for short term productivity gains?
I see it too often in the businesses that participate in the TAB boards I operate and with the EOS clients I work with (in the beginning of their journey). Attitude is too hard to measure so we ignore its impact, until its already done too much damage!
This is the 2nd installment of my People series. Remember, People = Aptitude + Attitude + Altitude
Attitude – a feeling or way of thinking that affects a person’s behavior.
Attitude = Core Values
If your culture is important to you, as a leader, you need to define your company Core Values or it will be defined by others. Your Core Values define the Attitude you want in your company . . . the behaviors that are acceptable. When my son starts behaving in an undesirable manner, I know that somebody is influencing him with different values (Attitude) that I have raised him with. It may be the friends he’s chosen or others in a leadership position (a teacher, coach, etc.) that have influenced him. Or worse, it could be me by modeling bad behavior.
If I’m not diligent in correcting his behavior by explaining why we don’t behave that way, then he’ll assume certain values (Attitude) and continue down the same path. However, you must first clearly define those Core Values in order to have meaningful conversations on its importance. Clearly defined Core Values help you exhibit them as a leader by example and it helps create context around any disciplinary action.
The People Analyzer
There are several tools in helping define your Core Values. I use the EOS People Analyzer with leadership teams to test out their existing Core Values to see if they’re truly core. I do this by having the leadership team evaluate each other in each of the defined Core Values. If each of the values are exhibited by all of the leadership team most of the time, then they are truly core, and they are leading by example. If the leadership team is not exhibiting these values in their everyday behavior, then they may be Aspirational values. If that’s the case, then the Core Values may have to be redefined or the employees will not buy into them if the leadership team is not leading by them.
Once the true Core Values are defined, the leadership team must be willing to perpetuate these Core Values by applying them in hiring, firing, and all decisions; thus building the culture.
Consistent Attitude = Less Worry
Imagine not having to worry about your children because you know you’ve instilled important family values in them. Every time they step out of your door, you have peace and comfort they’ll do the right thing because their behaviors are reflected from those clearly defined family values.
Now imagine your company with employees that you don’t have to worry about when you’re out of the office, on vacation, or not present at an important meeting. You know they’ll make the right decision that’s aligned with the mission of the company because they embody the Core Values you have helped define. You are no longer the bottleneck for decisions and your company is thriving with a firm foundation.
How does that sound to you? Can you visualize it? It IS possible!
Own Your Culture!
Have you allowed others to define your Core Values? Does your company reflect the Attitude you want from every employee? Do you exhibit your company Core Values as a leader? Or are you fooling yourself and faking it?
Take ownership of your culture and clearly define your Core Values. Live your Core Values by hiring, firing, and making all decisions based on your Core Values. You will live a more fulfilling life. Your business will create more fulfilling and healthy lives.
Take the Organizational Checkup to gauge the health of your company! For more information on creating a healthy business lifestyle, read about the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS).
My next blog will be about the third element in People – Altitude. Your Attitude will determine your Altitude!
To Your Business Health!