Creating A Strong Culture
I read this great article about camp – and how we can bring summer camp values (like community, consideration, and compassion) into other areas of life (like family, school, church, work, etc.). I’m passionate about camp and the universal values it holds dear.
There is also an interesting note about specific values and how strong communities are formed around common sets of values. What makes us alike helps us to bond with one another. One concern many business-owners might face when creating and growing their own businesses is: How much of “my values” can I ask someone else to take on?
That’s a hard question, with no simple answer, but it’s a hard question worth considering. For example, it is essential to note where our personal values might infringe on the rights of others. On the other hand, our shared values are the heart of an organization’s culture. What do we care about? What are our goals? Where are we headed? How can we get there together?
Creating a strong culture will help your organization in everything from recruiting like-minded people to moving forward together as a cohesive team. Just remember that too much group-think, without allowing for varying ways of holding (or expressing) a value, will decrease creativity and effectiveness. You want to balance holding true to your values with considering others’ perspectives. Keep an open mind without narrowing your viewpoint to just what you want to see or hear.