Pine Cone Therapies’ Post

For all of you that know me, Pat is one of my human "North Stars". He translates the complex into the simple, and takes the abstract and makes it practical for organizations of all size. And most importantly, he cares about people. I've been reflecting a lot on values. Arguably, they may be the MOST important decision a company has to make—what beliefs will we live by?! Values are NOT just words on the walls of an office building. Values show up in the actions from the executive team on down. Values are the beliefs that are used when intentionally designing a high-performance culture. Values show up when highlighting an individual's performance in daily staff meetings, town halls and promotion emails by leaders. Values show up each and every day in action. Pat's 20 minute discussion here is worth a listen, and Patrick Lencioni—thank you again for adding to my recent milestone birthday video!! It meant a lot.

In today's fast-paced world, where we're constantly juggling multiple responsibilities, it’s easy to forget one crucial element that drives us all: the feeling of being valued. Whether it's in our personal lives or professional careers, knowing that our efforts are recognized and appreciated can make all the difference. When we feel valued, our motivation soars, our creativity flourishes, and our commitment deepens. It's not just about recognition—it's about fostering an environment where everyone feels their contributions matter. As leaders, colleagues, and friends, it's our responsibility to ensure that those around us know how much they are valued. Take a moment today to appreciate the people in your life. A small gesture of recognition can lead to a big impact. Let's build a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

Our six Culture Essentials (core values) are the non-negotiable beliefs and behaviors that define who we are, what we stand for, and how we operate. They connect us to each other and the organization and serve as guiding principles to help us make decisions, build relationships, solve problems, and achieve success. ⭐Speak Up – Every one of us, regardless of level or role, speaks up when we have questions, comments, concerns, or new ideas. ⭐Respect & Protect – The health, safety and well-being of our people and the planet are vital. ⭐Communicate – We openly share our knowledge, skills and information across brands, functions, and the entire company to further our collective success. ⭐Improve – We have the courage to dream big, driving innovation and continuous improvement in guest and team member experiences, operations, compliance, sustainability and beyond. ⭐Empower – We and our team members have the time, tools and support we need to do our best work. We’re empowered to take personal ownership and accountability to succeed, and we take pride in our work. ⭐Listen & Learn – We listen actively and seek to understand before responding, because the more perspectives we have, the better decisions we make. We received 57 nominations (more than previous years!) and today, we’d like to recognize the HAP employee-nominated winners from our 2023 season! These team members were selected for continuously exemplifying our culture essentials on a daily basis. Congratulations to our winners!

Inclusive leadership refers to a style of leadership that values and embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion within an organization or team. Inclusive leaders actively seek out and value diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences, and create an environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to contribute their unique talents and ideas. They promote fairness, transparency, and opportunities for all individuals regardless of their differences, ultimately fostering a culture of belonging and collaboration. Inclusive leaders also recognize and address biases and systemic barriers that may hinder the full participation of certain groups, working towards creating a more equitable and just environment for all. Want to learn more? Reach out! Have a great week!

Over the past two years, we've grown from 15 to 150. Tremendous growth — which I’m extremely thankful for. But it’s made me realize how incredibly important culture is. Because, as your team grows, the odds of entropy increases— Inefficiency between 5-10 people doesn’t hurt too much, But between 150 people? Millions of dollars are on the line. So every month, in our global call, we zoom out. We take a step back from the daily grind, To not only tell new recruits what we're working towards... But to remind seasoned Prezentians why they're here, too. And every quarter, we spotlight those who embody our values, Through value-specific awards — because it's all about alignment. Our mission is huge … way beyond one person's reach. So, this emphasis? It's crucial. It reminds us of the power of pulling together. Because “teamwork” isn't just a buzzword here. It's what makes our company possible.

Over the past two years, we've grown from 15 to 150. Tremendous growth — which I’m extremely thankful for. But it’s made me realize how incredibly important culture is. Because, as your team grows, the odds of entropy increases— Inefficiency between 5-10 people doesn’t hurt too much, But between 150 people? Millions of dollars are on the line. So every month, in our global call, we zoom out. We take a step back from the daily grind, To not only tell new recruits what we're working towards… But to remind seasoned Prezentians why they're here, too. And every quarter, we spotlight those who embody our values, Through value-specific awards — because it's all about alignment. Our mission is huge … way beyond one person's reach. So, this emphasis? It's crucial. It reminds us of the power of pulling together. Because “teamwork” isn't just a buzzword here. It's what makes our company possible.

Getting visibility or being visible at work has always been an aspiring goal for many but perceived as a complex puzzle to maze thru - where do I start | what ways are there | how can I do it | can I achieve it. Having been engaged and interacted with many at workplace within and outside, there are a few easy steps which if practiced diligently and sincerely, it has a high potential to give a positive change experience to anyone. Sharing one such easy and interesting 2-minute read from HBR that can be very encouraging and act as a change agent to many.

I was once asked, “What’s the secret to a thriving workplace culture?” My answer? Servant leadership and actionable core values. In 2016, I joined GRATITUDESgroup as SVP of Operations. Our mission was clear: transform corporate environments into places where employees felt valued and connected. But theory is one thing; practice is another. We had to walk the talk. One day, during a team meeting, an associate brought to our attention that they felt a disconnect in our internal recognition strategy. Instead of dismissing it, we took immediate action and ended up introducing a new recognition program. Every month, employees who exemplified our core values were celebrated. Not just by management, but by their peers. This small act of servant leadership had a monumental impact. Engagement soared. Productivity increased. Retention rates improved. Our core values weren’t just words. They were actionable principles guiding our daily operations. We weren’t just leading; we were serving. And our employees felt it. Their sense of belonging and purpose deepened. We extended this philosophy beyond our corporate walls with GRATITUDESheart. Through the simple act of gifting Gnomes, we offered hope and comfort to those facing life’s toughest challenges. Each Gnome was a reminder of resilience and community. And it wasn’t just about giving. It was about creating a cycle of support and compassion. This is the power of actionable core values and servant leadership. It transforms workplaces and communities alike. So, I ask you: How can you embody servant leadership in your organization today? What actionable steps can you take to bring your core values to life? Share your thoughts and let’s inspire each other to make a difference!

Acknowledging and celebrating achievements is a way of recognizing the hard work, dedication, and effort employees invest in their roles. Not only does it boosts morale but also creates a culture of appreciation. It inspires employees to go above and beyond, knowing that their efforts do not go unnoticed, and builds a high-performing work environment. Recognizing excellence serves as a powerful motivator, as the connection between individual achievements and the overall success of the organization. When’s the last time you received recognition in the workplace?

🌟 Employee Spotlight: Sierra Brown, AVP, Talent Development Specialist at Civista Bank 🌟 Meet Sierra Brown, our Talent Development Specialist, who has been with Civista for almost 4 years. With over a decade in the financial field, Sierra brings invaluable insights to talent development. 🚀 About Sierra's Role: Sierra plays a pivotal role in cultivating and developing talents within our team. Her primary focus areas include: - Leadership development - Conversational sales coaching - One-on-one coaching with leaders - Team engagement workshops Favorite Part of the Job: "Developing leadership skills and witnessing those 'lightbulb' moments when frameworks or skillsets are understood and applied. It's all about transforming teams from the inside out and contributing to a positive employee experience." Fun Facts: Outside of work, Sierra and her husband are renovating a 100-year-old bungalow, taking care of their four dogs and a one-eyed cat, and planning to expand their micro-farm with a bigger garden, chickens, ducks, and even goats. Sierra loves light, glitter, fire, and shining. Her personal mantra is "Shine On ✨." She believes in lighting the path for others and that no one can dull your sparkle. Learn more about the Learning and Development team and how they are making Civista a great place to work. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eW88WHmU