If you’ve ever bowled, you’ve probably seen bumpers or guardrails for children and people learning how to bowl.
In my own businesses in the 80’s and 90’s we never had a core purpose, values, or revenue goals that exceeded more than a year. Our purpose and values were communicated simply through our behavior.By clearly articulating your business's Purpose, Values, and long-term goals you dramatically impact your team.
Think of them as guardrails to help your team members clarify the behavior, enthusiasm, and direction you expect.
The cultural system’s primary goal is to establish a transparent and embraced company culture. It revolves around instilling a strong commitment to the Core Purpose, team behavioral values, and the organization’s long-term goals. This culture forms the base for high-performing teams.
The knowledge and expertise driving this system draw not only from thought leaders like Jim Collins and Patrick Lencioni but also from practical experience in applying the principles. The outcome is a daily replicable behavioral framework to ensure a company’s culture isn’t merely a static concept on paper or a decoration on the wall. Instead, it becomes a vibrant, integral part of the organization’s daily life, with the CEO leading by example.
One of the reasons I love Shannon Susko’s The “M” Game is the testimonials she includes in the book. My specific intention in doing these dives into The “M” Game was to share these testimonials from customers who have experienced the value of each system. Here’s one from the Cultural System chapter.
Robert Haydock CEO of AML Oceanographic
"I didn’t seek out Metronomics or Shannon’s coaching for the same reasons many other CEOs do—I wasn’t the tired, overworked, overwhelmed CEO who was having trouble managing a personal life along with a business. I was most concerned about—and frustrated with—growth. I didn’t necessarily anticipate the impact the Cultural System and people-related aspects of Metronomics would have on our business.
It took time—probably the first three years of our journey—for me to get comfortable with that, too, and to realize that all the right things to do to push us forward were exactly the things I didn’t want to do. But as the CEO, I had to make the first move and have the courage to be vulnerable and step into an environment with which I wasn’t familiar.
As a result, the positive, cultural impact has been immense.
I feel a rush when people come to or go from our organization and tell me how this is the most amazing work environment they have ever been a part of—and I know they aren’t blowing smoke; those are heartfelt comments. It’s very exciting to see people I’ve worked with grow, knowing that their time at our company put them on a path toward better."
The photo here is The Painted Picture, or Vivid Vision, a concept from Cameron Herald's book Double Double. It’s a great way to build confidence in your Company's 10-30 years goal, Jim Collins’ BHAG. It ensures your whole team is on the same page, driving towards the same place.
You can listen to Robert on Tip Top- Grow Up Your Business With Metronomics Podcast here
Your soft-edge systems—the Cultural System, the Cohesive System, and the Human System—frame the house and, provide a clear, solid structure for all teams to achieve their goals. Need help developing your Cultural System for your business? Contact us to help you create an amazing work environment to fuel your growth!
To create an environment where everyone is inspired to give their best, contact Positioning Systems today to schedule a free exploratory meeting.
Growth demands Strategic Discipline.
Building an enduring great organization requires disciplined people, disciplined thought, disciplined action, superior results, producing a distinctive impact on the world.
Discipline sustains momentum, over a long period of time, laying the foundations for lasting endurance.
A winning habit starts with 3 Strategic Disciplines: Priority, Metrics, and Meeting Rhythms. Forecasting, accountability, individual, and team performance improve dramatically.
Meeting Rhythms achieve a disciplined focus on performance metrics to drive growth.
Let Positioning Systems help your business achieve these outcomes on the Four most Important Decisions your business faces:
DECISION |
RESULT/OUTCOME |
PEOPLE |
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STRATEGY |
|
EXECUTION |
|
CASH |
Positioning Systems helps mid-sized ($5M - $500M+) businesses Scale-UP. We align your business to focus on Your One Thing! Contact dwick@positioningsystems.com to Scale Up your business! Take our Four Decisions Needs Assessment to discover how your business measures against other Scaled Up companies. We’ll contact you.
NEXT BLOG – The “M” Game – Soft Systems: Cohesive System