Why do so many organizations and leaders get culture so horribly wrong?

By Julius E. Rhodes, SPHR

IN BUSINESS TODAY AND IN SOCIETY IN GENERAL, we are bombarded with the notion of culture. In our organizations it is widely believed that if you don’t get culture right, nothing else matters. We also hear that culture eats strategy for lunch.

Being from Illinois, I vividly remember what Univer­sity of Illinois basketball coach Bruce Weber said after he was fired. He concluded that he focused too much on wins and losses and not enough on culture. Now head men’s basketball coach at Kansas State Univer­sity, he has built a program in which culture is the hallmark of his efforts, and the re­sults are paying off in a grand manner.

With all of this em­phasis on culture, I only have one question: Why do so many organizations and leaders get culture so horribly wrong? Here’s my take:
Confusing Climate and Culture

First, I contend that many organizations confuse cli­mate with culture. Think of an iceberg. There is much more to the iceberg beneath the surface of the water than there is above the water. Climate is what’s above the water level and is easily seen. However, we all know the saying “all that glitters isn’t gold.”

As it relates to culture, the vast majority of the work that needs to be done is beneath the surface. Foolishly, many people and organizations believe that if an issue isn’t being discussed, it doesn’t exist. Noth­ing could be further from the truth.

I strongly believe that if issues are not being dis­cussed or have been driven underground, that sup­pression will eventually lead to an explosion. If we did the hard work of bringing those issues to the surface, the situation could be handled in a much more effec­tive manner.

C.O.P.E.
This is where learning to C.O.P.E. with culture comes into play. When this acronym is properly implement­ed, it can support a well-functioning, welcoming, and inclusive culture where our organizational stakeholders feel valued and supported for their efforts.

C: We must strive to improve com­munication and civility among all stakeholders. When we do this, it provides the springboard for in­creased contributions on the part of all stakeholders.

O: We need to be open to opportunities that will allow ourselves and others to get better. This will take commitment and cour­age; culture isn’t a popularity contest, but its establishment is critical to our success.

P: This represents the need for stakeholders to un­derstand the process and to actively practice and participate in sharing as a tool to increase organiza­tion dynamics.

E: This means we have to effectively engage every­one and execute with excellence. No single part of the organization is more important than the other, and we have to meet people where they are and bring them along to where we need them to be.

Culture is critical to our continued development and creates conditions for personal and professional growth.

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JULIUS E. RHODES, SPHR, is founder and principal of the mpr group and author of BRAND: YOU Personal Branding for Success in Life and Business. He can be reached at jrhodes@mprgroup.info or 773.548.8037.