Create Culture

Psalm 108: 1-2

“My heart, O God, is steadfast;
I will sing and make music with all my soul.
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.”

It’s not every day that I wake up singing…how about you? That doesn’t mean that we are never in a good mood, but in my case, unfortunately, my mood is more reactive to the morning’s events than intentional. I’ve worked on turning that around because I’m aware that my attitude sets the tone for my family and my business; it effects everyone around me. My mood, good or bad, rubs off.

When I read these verses in Psalm 108, what came to mind is that Christian leaders owe those around us an approachable attitude. Starting our day in prayer and song, praising the Lord, cements the right mood. Our focus on God and a right attitude will set the tone for those around us.

As leaders, we are a reflection of the true corporate culture, the tone or heart of the organization. Culture is designed and displayed by the heart of top leadership in every organization. And our attitude is the foundation of our company’s culture. Even if we did not intend to build a specific culture, please know that employees can identify it because they see it in us.

In August of this year, a Gallup poll indicated that 56% of workers are completely satisfied with their jobs. That may sound like a decent percentage, but think again. Anytime you walk out of your office, look at the faces of all your employees. Almost half, 44%, the less than completely satisfied, could leave for greener pastures. Can you afford to lose, hire, and train another 44%?

Do your employees love coming to work? Are they loyal to you and the company? Do you hear upbeat conversations? Do they sing the company’s praises to your customers?

These verses in Psalms 108 say clearly to me that our hearts, as leaders, become our corporate cultures. What does your heart reflect? What do the hearts your company’s leaders reflect? Discover that and you will be able to define your company’s culture. And good or bad, it rubs off, and that could determine what percentage will stay or leave.

Trump as the Encourager

“Encourager” …   by those closest to Donald Trump, that has been a repeated description of the Republican Nominee at the RNC.  Employees and family spoke of how he listens and encourages them to be their best, to dream big, to conquer the impossible.  That is the consummate definition of a leader.

Describe your experience with your boss.  Describe the experiences that your employees have with you.  During my 30 years in recruitment, speaking with employees and executives in a vast array of industries around the United States, the common theme is sadly the opposite from “Encourager”.   I continually have been confided in with experiences from disillusioned staff members, even at the executive level: “My boss does not value my knowledge.” “My boss does not have my back.” “My company does not invest in us.”

You may not have a boss at your company that is described as “Encourager”, but as Christians all of us must not overlook that we DO have an encourager.  The Bible tells us to sit quietly in His presence, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).  God encourages us in Isaiah 30:21 that our ears will hear a word behind us, “This is the way, walk in it.”  We are encouraged to be still in His presence, and listen to the soft words of wisdom.

As leaders, we must sit in God’s presence to hear his encouragement so that, not only may we be encouraged, we can encourage those who depend on us. Then, in turn, we can offer our staff direction, investment, and encouragement.

Nehemiah prayed to God. Nehemiah 4:4

David sang praises to God. Psalm 42:5

Joshua meditated on God’s word.  Joshua 1:8

Thank you Heavenly Father for the encouragement readily available to us.