The power of culture – do you know the impact of a good culture?
For those who know me, you will know I love nothing more than taking a break mid-year with the family to really switch off and take time to reflect. And on my yearly break away I always think about the power of culture.
This year we have embarked on a full family holiday, with myself, my Wife Jody, my two sons, 14-year-old Brad and 7-month-old Max. To make this an even bigger family getaway my wife has joined us up with 15 of her family members.
Anyway, the reason why this is important is that her sister has a two-year-old little boy, and what I saw in day one of the break and I reflected on, was the power of culture. It was unbelievable when I had that WOW moment, which most of us will and have walked past so many times.
As we embarked on the pool to have some fun it was fair to say the hotel in Bulgaria was very international, with people coming from Russia, France, Germany, and many other, great nations.
Children are diamonds
Children are diamonds when they are small, so pure and innocent, with no preconceived judgments about the world, people, race, religion, gender, or any other programmed beliefs.
I know this because my wife’s two-year-old nephew, jumped out of the pool and walked over to another little boy, who did not speak any English, and started to play football. The two boys played with each other for ages, neither understanding the other, but both knew how to smile and be friendly.
They respected each other as they passed the ball between them and did not have any idea they may be different in culture, religion, gender or morals and belief system. Children are so pure and perfect, it is the world, the environment, our parents, our nations and situations that programme us.
The power of culture when done right
Later in the afternoon I reflected on the two children playing and couldn’t help but think, if we all adjusted our belief system a little, and as people no matter what nation we come from, we offered a kinder and more respectful approach, maybe we would have a better place to live.
It also shows me how powerful culture can be as I am sure all people believe they are respectful, kind, and considerate, but what we have is different beliefs programmed and conditioned into us, as I said at the start of this blog.
I am proud to be British and have a British culture, morals and belief system. Even when we have so many challenges going on in our great nation, we must not forget our culture and how great we are as a nation and a nation of leaders, as leaders we must set the example for our future generations to follow.
Seeing arrogance, and rudeness in other people doesn’t make me adjust my value system or my morals. I will always do what I believe to be the right thing and act in a manner that does not go against my beliefs.
If I change then I have been influenced, and I become a follower, not a leader. Even Ghandi had something to say on culture, and he clearly saw its need to be created and the importance of it, so we must be on the right path.
How can we influence future generations?
I love the powerful infographic above from www.oasdom.com. It made me start to think about the culture in the workplace along with the importance and power of it. If you get it right, you can get people to adopt it, live it and breath it.
This will not just affect people at work, but can also have an impact on their out of work life if done right. This culture system could start to live and breathe in your team’s homes. If the culture and value system you build is right, then this is how you can influence a change in the world. As small as it may be, it’s a change. If we all made a change to one person, one business, one environment at a time then surely, we could bring about a better tomorrow.
When your culture and company values spread to others’ homes, this could then be passed on and part instilled in our children. Children then grow up with a much better and happier culture, and value system, which may make a difference to how they develop, and act with others. After all, remember from the start its us, as parents, that influence and programme our children.
I hope this blog has made you stop and think a little bit more about your response and your ability to make an impact. It is our responsibility as leaders in business, at home as parents, to set the right culture, and possess the right values. Culture does not make people, people make culture.
Good luck, I hope this has helped or made you think, and please feel free to follow me on twitter @DannyMIDSimpson and let me know your thoughts.
Stay tuned and if you enjoyed this and watch out for my next blog…
DS