EPIPHANY AT WORK

Shelley SmithBlog, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Predictive Index

Epiphany Workplace Culture

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

I’m prone to mediation and try to remember to focus on appreciating ALL things in my life. So, in honor of the season, we have undoubtedly heard the popular carol, The 12 days of Christmas. Right?  There are a few speculations on the meaning. According to one source, the precise origins are unclear, it might be a memory game that appeared in England in 1780. Since according to scholars, it was printed in a children’s book as a rhyme, without music. What does this have to do with workplace culture? Stay with me and read on.

There is even a theory on the religious aspects of the carol, the 12 days starting on Christmas and ending on January 6th or Epiphany. The Feast of the Epiphany is one of the oldest Christian feasts, throughout the centuries. Epiphany comes from a Greek verb meaning “to reveal.”

So just like a log crackling and popping in my fireplace, it hit me, again. Epiphany. Analogy time. Epiphany. We all need our own personal “epiphany” moment (s) at work and yes of course in our personal lives. Let’s look at work, it’s what I do and what I am passionate about. An epiphany should cause a moment of reflection, insight on the culture of our workplace. And like I say in my workshops and on my website, maybe you’ve done all the right stuff. Maybe you are using all the right tools. But …. still, your COMPANY CULTURE isn’t what it needs to be to get the most engagement out of your workforce.

So with all due respect to the 12 days of Christmas, here’s MY own workplace take on 12 things on why you should invest on doing a Culture Inquiry of your workplace…especially if you are “sick” of the following.

  1. You don’t have time.
  2. You don’t have a budget.
  3. You don’t have support.
  4. Employees won’t change.
  5. Leadership won’t change.
  6. Others view your department as an expense.
  7. Frustrated with the consistent turnover.
  8. Disappointed because you’re not retaining top performers.
  9. Irritated you aren’t attracting quality applicants.
  10. Undervalued, unappreciated and can’t make decisions to empower – and engage – your people.
  11. On the verge but can’t get over the hump.
  12. So disappointed because you’re not leading the company culture you envision, want & desire…

I do hope the joy of the season causes you to be reflective on positive changes, and hey having an epiphany shouldn’t come once a year. Maybe doing a CULTURE INQUIRY can help with the gift of the right direction for the new year.  Enjoy the holidays!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

My name is Shelley Smith, your culture curator. A company’s culture can make or break the long-term success and overall profitability. Your employees must be aligned with your mission, vision, and values. Their behavioral needs must be congruent with the needs of your culture and motivated to those needs daily. If you would like to know more about this process of inquiry please contact me directly at Shelley@PremierRapport.com or visit me on my websites to learn more www.ShelleyDSmith.com and www.PremierRapport.com.