COLIN ON CULTURE
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The Middle Management Crisis
Almost under performing culture that I work with has one thing in common, a crisis in middle management. And yet, middle managers themselves, are often not to blame for this situation, despite being an easy target.
The things vibrant cultures do (that you can copy)
Listen and be inspired by what organisations with vibrant cultures do and you can too!
Subcultures the catalyst for change
By understanding and nurturing subcultures, organisations can drive culture change and improve overall employee engagement
Toxic culture and UFOs
In almost all cases of reports into toxic cultures, the first response from senior leaders has either been to deny the existence of toxic culture or else to pretend that what’s obvious to everyone else, isn’t obvious to them.
5 steps to behaviour change
The behaviours we demonstrate at work influence those around us and have a profound affect on the culture and employee experience. In this episode I walk through the five step REACH framework and how it can guide behaviour change.
Chumocracy
Chumocracy in your culture creates an echo chamber effect leading to poor decision making and missed opportunities.
Bottling a crisis culture
Organisations need to shift from trying to mandate culture (or simply expecting it to happen!) to instead creating conditions where employees have the agency to shape it themselves.
Busting the silos
We cling to our silos because they're comfortable and familiar but the walls they build up can be hard to tear down without managers who understand the value of subcultures.
Investing vs. Invested
This podcast episode explores the key differences in investing in culture versus being invested - and why it matters for your organisation’s success.
Origin story
Where did you come from and where are you going? Sharing our origin stories is a great way to create cultural connection.
Change confusion
We’re in an era of change fatigue but what’s really behind the failure to engage?
Future you
January is a popular time of year for reflecting on where your career is going and making some big decisions. I spoke to the Today show on Channel 9 about strategies for ensuring what you do next is a success.
How politics affects working culture
Politics will always affect how we work, because we (the electorate) often demand that it does, however, the reaction to these changes and the choices that leaders make needn’t happen overnight. Culture (social and working) will always be driven by the humans who are living it day-to-day. This is why culture matters so much.
Strong foundations
When you build a house, there's no debate. No one says, "let's skip the foundation and figure it out later". That would be absurd. Yet in business, we do exactly that when we don’t purposefully create our culture.
Saying what needs to be said
The best organisations aren't just places where people say what needs to be said. They're places where people know how to say it in a way that makes everyone better.
Proper work
The real question isn't whether today's workers are doing proper work. The real question is whether today's leaders are creating proper working environments.
The Wellbeing Program Paradox
As a culture consultant, I see too many organisations trying to meditation-app their way out of fundamental workplace issues. It's like putting a plaster on a broken leg. Instead, invest in creating healthy cultures from the ground up and build something worth being part of.
Flexible vs Hybrid Work: What they mean and why it matters
Where we work - or how we structure the working week - is back in the news. Four years after the pandemic, organisations are still feeling their way around flexible and hybrid work arrangements. What do these terms actually mean? And how do you implement them successfully?
What HR needs to change to regain employee trust
HR departments are facing a crisis of confidence, increasingly seen as complicit in toxic workplace cultures rather than agents of positive change. The future of HR lies in creating environments where employees feel safe, respected, and empowered to thrive.
Culture Rots From The Top
Toxic culture is the biggest risk to every organisation, regardless of size, industry or country. It can destroy lives, results, reputations and the organisation itself. Ignoring it will only make things worse. Take a different approach and turn toxicity around.