What type of culture do you foster?

A client of mine who was in a senior leadership position at an international business once said to me that every day he went to work he felt that he needed to “put on a suit of armor.” The general consensus from employees at this company was you needed to be prepared to protect yourself from the “attacks” of colleagues on a daily basis. Conversely, a Fortune 500 corporation that I consult with only employs graduates from Ivy League schools. The basic assumption is, “Everyone here is smart — so don't be superior in your attitude toward others.” In fact, several presidents had short tenures because of their autocratic attitudes.

Both of these examples raise a critical issue that impacts all business owners and leaders: What type of culture are you fostering? Does the culture at your company promote humility or arrogance? A “humble” work environment is collaborative. There is a sense that mistakes are allowed as a part of the learning process. This type of culture promotes a positive buzz, creativity and effective teamwork. Leadership that endorses a culture of humility presupposes that the right people are “on the bus.” They have confidence in each member of their team's intellectual and technical capabilities. Therefore every project is not a test, but rather an opportunity for individuals to work together to create an amazing solution. Research supports that positive organizational cultures are linked to increased employee productivity, employee commitment, and an improved bottom line.

However, perhaps in your company there is a high level of tension, where every interaction is fraught with conflict. Do you as a leader tolerate members of your management team being haughty or pointing fingers in an attempt to assign blame if a project fails? While this type of Machiavellian approach may seem to promote a “survival of the fittest” and resiliency in your employees, it ultimately creates an environment of negativity and mistrust. And trust is an essential element of a successful, productive team. Certainly there are some personality types that would thrive in negotiating the politics of a culture of arrogance, but more likely this type of toxic environment leads to employee dissatisfaction and turnover.