How to change culture

In our post-pandemic world, there are many changes. They challenge us to redouble our efforts to align our corporate culture with our mission and purpose. The behaviors, assumptions, and practices that worked until 2020 are frequently failing the test of transition to 2022 and beyond.

Whether in business or civic life, values are changing. But it is erroneous to presume that changing values will change the culture.

Values don’t change culture, communication around values changes culture.

Or to put it another way: Cultural change comes only through communication.

And communication is challenging!

I see repeatedly how communication weaknesses hinder or deflect the process of changing culture to better reflect our values.

If you only promote values in ways that make sense to you, your listeners will not necessarily become your followers.

If you state core values without also infusing them into every communication, you will not change the culture.

Culture is often resistant to change. But communication is like a river that gradually shapes and changes the landscape.

For the greatest impact, we must communicate in ways that reach thinkers and feelers. We also must include those whose communication is kinetic: they communicate through action.

So, values must speak to the mind and the heart, and clarify a direction for participation. Communication is never a once-and-done activity. It is not a one-way street where the top dog in the corner office sends out a values statement and the whole organization changes.

Instead, the most effective culture-changers start a conversation that continues to clarify values while embracing feedback and input.

This is most effective when all seven Life Languages™️ are incorporated into the conversation.

Communication around values changes culture.

Where do you want to change culture?

How can I help you communicate?