CEG’s Post

Creating a corporate culture is one of the hardest things you can do. There are a lot of ways it can go wrong even when leaders are well-intentioned. Why does it go wrong, and how do you get it to go right? There are a few books that have changed my life. One of them that led me to profound discoveries, both personally and professionally, is Luke Burgis's WANTING. Drawing on the work of French philosopher and historian René Girard, Burgis provides valuable insight into our understanding of desire. Girard believed that our desires are ‘mimetic’, meaning that they are crucially influenced by those around us. Thus, we might buy a new iPhone, wear certain brands, or pursue specific careers not purely out of personal preference, but because people we admire or aspire to be like are doing it. (Social media is Girardian desire on steroids.) But this imitation can lead us astray. Because our emulation of others often operates unconsciously, we can often travel quite far pursuing what Burgis calls 'thin desires', those that are shallow and fleeting, before we discover that they do not align with our 'thick desires', those that are more substantial, authentic, and truly fulfilling. I believe that, post-Covid especially, there are a whole lot of people who have found themselves in this place at work. The workplace is a cauldron of mimesis, and almost never in a good way. Mimetic desire at work manifests itself when employees emulate the desires and behaviors of their peers and leaders. A company’s culture is essentially the aggregate of all these mimetic desires and behaviors. This is what I think people dislike about their work. It isn't ultimately that they aren't saving lives or enriching humanity; it is that they're in a job that grinds them down. They work long hours in shitty environments where decency is in short supply and leaders seem unconcerned about their contributions, much less them as people. It is my experience—in companies large and small, public and private—that people simply want to work in a place where they are treated respectfully and decently, like grownups. It is also my experience, having built teams that operate under conditions of *positive* mimesis, that people are not only happier and more engaged, but they also punch well above their weight in terms of results. I am devoting the next three editions of the Great Exec/ution newsletter to exploring how to create a corporate culture that short circuits negative mimesis and promotes positive desires. If this topic resonates with you, you can sign up at the link in the comments, or click on the image below. I publish the newsletter every Saturday morning. It’s free, and it’s always focused on the intersection of #leadership and execution. ~~~ If you found this helpful, please consider resharing 💡 and follow me Jonathan (JD) Deitch for more content like this. https://lnkd.in/e4RmHgFc

Culture is much about everyday behaviour. Looking for behavioural clues, your employees look and mimic the company leaders. The company leaders mimic the behaviour of the company Management Team. Next thing you know you have great or less so company culture. The good news: there are ways to develop it! #companyculture #leadership #organizationalculture #changedoctor

The miracle of company culture! Many like to shine with Peter Drucker's "Culture eats strategy for breakfast". Yet few actually go deeper to think and reflect what it means in reality and how one comes with what we call "great company culture"? Here is my attempt to offer an answer. #corporateculture #companyculture #companyvalues #leadership #leadershipculture #corporategovernance #changedoctor

Just Culture is not a one-size-fits-all framework. Different models exist, each emphasising fairness, restoring trust and relationships, or learning.   Each business may require different models or a hybrid of two or more.   Discover the strengths and weaknesses of the different models (Classic, Restorative, Revised) to determine which aligns with your company's unique needs in our blog here – https://lnkd.in/ewug-Ned   #justculture #workculture #leadership #culture #justcultureconsulting

6 Questions To Ask To Build A Stronger Corporate Culture #companyculture #culture #success #leadership #teamwork #2019linkedintoprecruiter #mostsociallyengaged https://lnkd.in/ge3vUK8X

It is a challenging time to run a business and lead a successful team. This summer, Forbes Business Council has published three of my articles that help leaders take their teams to the next level through Vision, Leadership Development, and Culture. I hope you find them helpful, as you grow to become the best leader you can be. Vision: https://lnkd.in/gSrhiNi7 Leadership Development: https://lnkd.in/gqATgrTP Culture: https://lnkd.in/gAQi9w8S

6 Questions To Ask To Build A Stronger Corporate Culture #companyculture #culture #success #leadership #teamwork #2019linkedintoprecruiter #mostsociallyengaged https://lnkd.in/gWd4CYXC

« #Leaders should #revisit the #works of three #corporateculture #pioneers » - A trio of 20th-century thinkers - #LeonFestinger, #FrederickHerzberg, and #DanielGoleman - yields insights into how to #align #culture with #strategy and #energize #employees today. ➡️These three authors, read together, provide an understanding of why #successful #culturalinterventions work. But they also give achievable, time-tested strategies for how to get started on your own cultural transformation. Armed with this knowledge, you can drive dramatic change. ➡️Begin with a pilot. Pick one team or department and give it a try! #Leadership #Corporateculture #motivation #organizationculture #organizations #thoughtleaders #workforce 👉https://lnkd.in/eEQvQPbd

👉 Discover the secrets of building a strong cultural foundation within your organization. #Culture #Leadership #BuildingYourTribe https://lnkd.in/eN6PhMR8

Discover the secrets to cultivating a strong and purposeful company culture. From values alignment to inclusive practices, learn how to foster an environment where teams thrive and innovation flourishes. https://lnkd.in/ei3qW5qD #CompanyCulture #Teamwork #Innovation #ValuesAlignment #WorkplaceCulture #Leadership #EmployeeEngagement