Culture Leadership Charge - Leaders, Here's Your 2022 Call to Action

Driving Results Through Culture

I’m reflecting on an anniversary this month. Twenty-eight years ago this month I had a heart attack.

It was not how I planned to spend the day.

Thanks to exceptional health professionals, dedicated family, and the grace of God, I survived.

Like many others who have experienced a significant health issue, my heart attack caused me to reflect on my life. I knew my job at the time was not a great fit for me. I was not using my talents to proactively serve others.

So, I left that role and started on the culture educator and consultant path. I am grateful to help leaders build and sustain workplaces where everyone is respected and validated for their ideas, efforts, and contributions every day.

I pray you never have a myocardial infarction. Maybe my story can inspire reflection and action in the coming months.

The world is going through a “heart attack” today. The pandemic has caused employees to reflect – and many have come to the conclusion that their workplaces are not healthy. So, they resign. Since April, more than 24 million US workers have voluntarily quit their jobs.

Of those employees who have remained at work, a new global McKinsey study found that 40% of employees are likely to quit in the next three to six months.

These numbers tell a sorrowful tale: our workplaces suck. Why? Because leaders don’t make respect as important as results.

When leaders tolerate bad behavior — bullying, harassment, and worse — that’s what they’ll get across their work culture. If they define good behavior — respect, validation, and more — and hold everyone accountable for that good behavior, that’s what they’ll get across their work culture. The reality is leaders build a healthy work culture upon the constructive behaviors rewarded. They destroy a healthy work culture based on the deconstructive behaviors tolerated.

Don’t wait. Don’t let your organization be another statistic in the tsunami of resignations in 2022.

There is a proven pathway to creating an uncompromising work culture where respect drives results. Learn more at GoodComesFirst.com.

This is episode ninety-nine of my Culture Leadership Charge series. In these concise recordings, I share the best practices for creating and sustaining a purposeful, positive, productive culture – where good comes first.

You’ll find my Culture Leadership Charge and Good Comes First episodes and more on my YouTube, iTunes, and Amazon Podcast channels. If you like what you learn, please subscribe.

Have you responded to this month’s culture leadership poll? Add your ratings to two questions. It’ll take less than a minute. Once you vote, click “results” to see the responses from around the globe.