Every business has external threats like competition, technology and changes in the economy. All of these forces could potentially put you out of business. These same forces can also create incredible opportunities for you.
Leadership creates the culture of every organization. This culture determines an organizationβs ability to deal with external threats.
In a healthy work culture, every employee feels like part of a team and they trust each other. When employees trust each other, they feel safe. When employees feel safe at work, they can focus all of their energy into overcoming external threats. Their goals are aligned with the organizationβs goals and everyone is working towards the same objective. This is a culture where creativity and innovation exists. In this environment external threats can be converted into opportunities. These organizations tend to thrive regardless of the external threats.
What if the work culture is not good? What if the employees do not trust each other? In many organizations the culture is such that the employees tend to look out for themselves. They would gladly sacrifice a co-worker for their own advancement. When employees sense internal threats they do not feel safe. When employees do not feel safe at work, they focus their energy on self preservation. They are no longer concerned about external threats to the company. The goals of the employees and the organization are not aligned at all. Everyone is working in opposite directions. In this type of culture, gossip, politics and high turnover exist. This is the environment where external threats can destroy a company.
Take a close look at the culture in your organization. What about the cultures you have created within your family and with your friends? It is important to recognize this since they all perform in relatively the same ways.
