6 Cheats for Building a Strong Culture Behind Your Brand
The success of a company relies on the satisfaction of internal employees through open lines of communication, transparency and personal investment. When those at the top neglect company employees at any level, the result is weak culture that affects every aspect of business and is obvious to those outside. Below, I’ve outlined six cheats for implementing and sustaining a strong culture behind your brand.
*Asterisk indicates chapter from The Cheat Code. Purchase here:http://thecheatcodebook.com
Don’t Hide Anything
Transparency with employees is essential. No sugarcoating. The more you sugarcoat, the more you as a manager or leader, dig yourself into a hole. As a CEO, you are expected to take responsibility. For any leadership position, putting off the blame creates a domino effect of poor culture decisions. Admitting to a mistake or problem is the only way to ensure that history doesn't repeat itself.
In the wake of recent brand blunders, internal leaders must realize the impact that transparency and timely communication have on a company's global perception during a crisis.
2. Don’t Seclude Yourself
Within an office, you have a 24/7 focus group. Use the opinions, suggestions, ideas and recommendations from your employees to avoid overly formulaic decisions that affect the entire brand but lack perspective. As I began Kiip, I was very open to sharing my ideas which helped build the company. Of course I don’t mean to spew sensitive information to the public, but you hired intelligent, trustworthy people -- use them!
3. Know Your Superpower*
I use this cheat when hiring new Kiipers. I always ask what their superpower is, because creating a cohesive team within a company relies on having people with different superpowers who can compliment each other. Being a good leader and creating a good culture behind your brand starts with crafting a powerful team and knowing how to utilize superpowers and divert weaknesses.
4. Find the Right Fit and Be the Right fit*
A company culture is molded around those who are placed on the team. This cheat is crucial to setting your company up for success and likewise setting yourself up to thrive as an employee. If you are hiring employees, make sure they have the qualities that will allow them to mesh with current team and grow the company culture. If, on the other hand, you are seeking employment, self assess to make sure you fit with the team and see a future with the company. Consistent poor hires will destroy a company culture.
5. Show Empathy
To show an employee you care, you have to show that you understand how they feel. Take a minute to pretend you are in that person’s shoes, living their life. How would you feel? How would you react? Use those thoughts to employ good leadership throughout your company.
6. Don’t Rely on Formal Research to Make Decisions
Just because a piece of paper tells you how you should respond to a situation, doesn’t mean it is the best answer. Let me put it this way -- just because you like ice cream, fast cars and sushi, doesn’t mean you should eat ice cream and sushi while driving a fast car. Get it?
This goes back to avoiding formulaic solutions. Handling situations with real humans requires you to take a step back and evaluate each case as it comes. You have to activate those lessons from research at the right time. Whether it is hiring, firing, promoting or handling crisis with employees, timing and environment are everything.
This post was originally found here 6 Cheats for Building a Strong Culture Behind Your Brand