Don’t Let Culture Eat Strategy for Breakfast
After many years in the trenches of strategic planning for countless associations, I've found there one big reason why even the most brilliant strategies fail to hit the mark: culture.
Time and again, I’ve seen amazing plans fail because the underlying culture wasn’t ready to support the changes - they were trying to build a skyscraper on wet mud.
So, when I came across Jamie Notter and Maddie Grant’s book, "Culture Change Made Easy," I knew I had to share their insights with you. This book is a goldmine of practical advice and tools to support associations to transform their cultures.
So, grab a cup of coffee (or tea, if that's your thing), and let’s dive into the highlights! (Spoiler - if you would rather watch a webinar you are in luck - click here to register for their free webinar running Thu 12 Sep at 9am (QLD, Australia time)
Demystifying Culture and Its Patterns
First things first, what exactly is culture? Maddie and Jamie define it as the collection of words, actions, thoughts, and tangible aspects of work that clarify and reinforce what’s truly valued inside an organization. They introduce the concept of Culture Patterns—recurring themes that can either support or sabotage your efforts. Think of it as finally finding the hidden picture in a “Where’s Wally?” book. Once you see it, you can't unsee it!
Busting Common Myths
One of my favourite parts is how the authors debunk common myths about culture change. Forget the notion that culture is some mystical force beyond our control. Spoiler alert: It’s not! Maddie and Jamie argue that culture can be measured and changed effectively. And guess what? Culture change isn't just a top-down decree; it involves everyone and can start from any level. Yes, even that quiet guy hiding out the back can make a difference!
Practical Steps to Culture Change
The book provides a detailed roadmap for initiating culture change, focusing on intentional adjustments to processes, structures, and technologies to drive new behaviours and boost success. This approach ensures that culture change isn’t just a pie-in-the-sky dream but something tangible and achievable.
Tackling Specific Culture Patterns
Maddie and Jamie talk about the four primary Culture Patterns: Awkward Collaboration, Lagging Transparency, Heavy Agility, and Incomplete Innovation. Each pattern is dissected with real-world examples and practical solutions. For example, Awkward Collaboration highlights the issue of stellar individual collaboration but subpar teamwork across departments. The fix? Invest in clear decision-making and robust project management systems to streamline cross-functional collaboration.
The Culture Playbook Model
The book introduces the Culture Playbook Model—a particularly useful tool. It includes six categories of culture plays: process, structure/design, technology, human resources/talent, rituals/artifacts, and culture stewardship. This model is your toolkit for designing and implementing effective culture change initiatives, striking a balance between quick wins and long-term strategies.
Sustaining Culture Change
The journey doesn’t end with just implementing change; maintaining it is equally important. The final chapter offers strategies to make culture change a permanent feature of your association. It’s like keeping your garden in bloom—you need to water, weed, and nurture it continuously.
Why Associations Should Care
"Culture Change Made Easy" isn’t just a book; it’s a guide to building a more collaborative, transparent, agile, and innovative environment. By understanding and addressing specific challenges within our cultures, we can create a work environment that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our members and stakeholders.
So, if you're looking to drive meaningful culture change within your association, this book is a “must-read”. Don't miss the chance to learn directly from the experts! Grab your copy of the book, sign up for their free webinar running on 12 September, and start transforming your association today.