What Can YOU Do To Create A High Performing Culture?

If you are male and you need a new bathing suit, I would imagine that the whole process takes 5 minutes and is about as stressful as buying apples at the supermarket. For women, on the other hand, bathing suit shopping is an ordeal. The suit has to be the right size, shape and provide support in just the right places. Ladies, you know exactly what I mean…right?!?!

In preparation for my summer holiday, I went to an amazing store in Toronto called Melmira to purchase a new swim suit. At the store, you book an appointment and have a designated person bring suits to your change room that are just right for you. I was telling my cousin Caroline about this very respectful and pleasant experience. She told me that she was at Melmira last year with a friend who was recovering from a double mastectomy after her breast cancer had spread. She told me that Melmira specializes in post-surgical undergarments for women. Not only do they work with hospitals to ensure that they have the right products for customers, but they also create an atmosphere that is considerate and caring for women who are going through such a difficult time.

I was blown away by this story. I was very moved by the personalized and caring approach that Melmira uses for all their customers, especially those going through a significant personal challenge.

I am not telling you this story to promote the store. I am sharing this story because I believe there is a linkage to leadership here. At Melmira, they consciously create an atmosphere and experience that makes all of their customers feel special and well taken care of.

As a leader, your actions and behaviours create an atmosphere for the people on your team. You either create an atmosphere that promotes high performance or stifles it. My challenge for you is to think about the atmosphere that you want to create on your team. Think CONSCIOUSLY about the kind of experience that your team needs to have at work in order for them to be high performing. Do you need to create an atmosphere that:

• Promotes creativity and rewards people who are thinking outside of the box
• Promotes flexibility and rewards people who adapt well to change
• Promotes structure and rewards people who can put processes and procedures in place
• Promotes respect and rewards people who treat others with courtesy and politeness
• Promotes punctuality and rewards people who are on time

As you can see from the above list, there is not only one way to create a high performing team. It all depends on what you do and what goals you need to achieve on the job. With that in mind, please answer the following questions:

• What behaviours do you need to promote on your team?
• What behaviours do you need to reward on your team?
• How do you need to behave to create the right culture on your team?

These are really important questions since you set the tone for your team. Subconsciously, your team looks to you for hints on how to behave.

Post below this blog and let me know what you have decided that you need to promote and to reward. I look forward to hearing from you.