How to Fix the Culture Problem in your Organization

"Culture" has been getting a lot of attention lately, but it's a difficult thing to talk about.

We often talk about the wrong things.

We focus on the perks and benefits as the ingredients of a work culture, but it's so much bigger and more ambiguous than that.

I've had bad experiences in the past when it came to culture. 

And later when I realised that the first step in fixing culture is hashtag#ownership my path forward changed.

I've been in places where I have wished for the leaders, management and others to fix the workplace culture, rather than taking it upon myself to change. And guess what happened?

Nothing.

Sometimes I was hoping an organization would spontaneously enter metamorphosis (Fat chance) 🪄

But nothing changed when I didn't change. 

So the next time you think, "This place sucks, things have got to change"

❌ Stop looking at the leadership to do it.

❌ Stop looking at hierarchies to tell you how to do it.

Own up and make yourself accountable.

✅ Show up with the energy and commitment you want to see from the leadership or whoever your looking to for permission.

✅ Show up for the company and for your role with the purpose and passion you think might be at the other "ideal" company.

I know this is much easier said than done, you're probably already thinking about one of these counterarguments.

🤷‍♀️ I am just one person; how much can I really do?

🤷‍♀️ It's easier not to change. I don't have enough skin in the game.

But here's the deal:

If you don't care. No one can make you care. 

If you can't change. You can't make anyone/anything change.

So if you want other people to fix their shit, do the hard work and fix your own shit. You'll be amazed at the ripple effects.