“An organization’s culture is like air: vital, omnipresent, and at times, invisible. Air and culture alike can be taken for granted – until they become toxic” – Creating a High-Performance Culture: The Role of Company Culture in Driving Success
In March 2023 the Arbinger Institute and Ascend2 partnered together to explore the role that company culture has in the overall success of an organization. Surveying 302 individuals from organizations throughout the United States, they developed the hypothesis that culture does play a substantial role in the success of an organization. Not only that, but that company culture can also be improved strategically and those organizations doing so effectively will be more successful compared to those who have not.
The findings reported by the Arbinger Institute and Ascend2 are presented in their report, Creating a High-Performance Culture: The Role of Company Culture in Driving Success. Immediately, the report affirms what many likely feel when approaching the topic of workplace culture – what does “culture” really even mean?
“…at a corporate level, it ultimately answers the question, “What does it feel like and mean to work here?”
Creating a High-Performance Culture: The Role of Company Culture in Driving Success
“…at a corporate level, it ultimately answers the question, “What does it feel like and mean to work here?”, provides the report. So, how do we know if an organization’s culture is healthy, or could use some strengthening?
The report identifies the most common tools companies utilize that impact their culture as leadership development, DEI initiatives, mindset, strategic planning, and executive coaching. These are all assets that can enhance culture when implemented appropriately, but when not engaged fully or shown appropriate follow-through, won’t increase your employee or leadership buy-in.
“97% of decision-makers and strategic leaders agree that the collective mindset of an organization directly improves that organization’s culture but only 16% report that mindset is a part of their company’s leadership development, team performance, and DEI initiatives.”
The report defines mindset as “your culture in action.” This is the way that your company presents itself – the way it handles situations and acts on those decisions. And when we think about developing our leaders, the report highlights that their mindset is key to the success, or failure, of the organization. When you establish new programs or tools to help grow your leadership, it’s indicated that you should be mindful of the way your employees are feeling. Maybe the idea of bringing “feeling” into the workplace is off-putting, however, this report shows that 48% of leaders indicate that feeling valued is high up on the list when reflecting on their satisfaction in the workplace.
Many organizations are facing the impact of current trends such as the great resignation and quiet quitting. While those are obstacles, they’ve also opened the door to understanding their root, and that’s an issue with the environment organizations cultivate. When looking at increasing the engagement, satisfaction, and productivity of leadership within organizations, the research findings suggest that leadership training, executive coaching, and strategic planning all play a role.
MHS Association offers executive coaching and strategic planning services in collaboration with MHS Consulting.
In addition, if you are looking for leadership training that aligns with your mission, MHS Association hosts a-lead, a leadership formation academy. Find out more about a-lead, here.
To read the full Creating a High-Performance Culture: The Role of Company Culture in Driving Success report, click the link below.