For Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs place an indelible stamp on their organization through their values, beliefs and behaviors. What they pay attention to and what they do (more than what they say) shapes group norms and beliefs and consequently, culture.
Given the power that their behaviors have to shape culture in the firm, entrepreneurs need to make sure they have objective feedback on the effect of their behaviors. They need to get rid of any blind spots and 'rose-colored glasses' thinking about their behavior to ensure they are shaping a strong and vibrant culture that results in high performance and employee retention.
For entrepreneurs and their teams, these resources build self-awareness and insights for action so that culture can be shaped proactively, by design.
Tools for entrepreneurs and their teams
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Leading Culture Snapshot - This 360º feedback tool helps entrepreneurs understand how their words and actions are shaping the culture of their organization and influencing the behavior of the people around them. It compares their perspective with those of people they interact with as part of their work, including staff, customers and suppliers. The result is an picture of the culture they are creating. Purchase it for yourself or as a coaching tool with members of your management team.
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Leading Culture Handbook - This tool helps leaders expand their repertoire of behaviors and practices for strengthening culture. It includes action strategies for applying a wide range of behaviors in day-to-day interactions to shape culture strengths proactively. It is a rich self-development and coaching guide. Purchase it with the Leading Culture Snapshot or alone.
- High Engagement Culture Handbook - This is a practical handbook for managers that provides examples of behaviors, practices and action strategies for strengthening the level of engagement of their staff. It is ideal for use with employee engagement training programs, team development activities, new manager orientation and post-engagement survey planning.
Leadership retreats
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The CSF Chocolate Factory - This business simulation is ideal for including in an annual planning meeting with your key players. It develops profound insights into behaviors currently in use and those needed for the future, and, in particular, the way that the culture created by these behaviors supports or gets in the way of company success. Contact us for more information.
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The Culture Safari - This is a high engagement activity that can be used as part of establishing the core values of a company and its desired culture. It provides a safe way to talk about the way culture operates now and/or what it needs to be for the future. Ideal for start-up companies and in particular for entrepreneurs who need to take their business to its next stage of development. Contact us for more information.
Readings
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Culture in Organizations - This is an ideal pre-reading for leadership development workshops, retreats or strategy sessions. Contact us for a complimentary PDF copy.
“The bottom line for leaders is that if they do not become conscious of the cultures in which they are embedded, those cultures will manage them. Cultural understanding is desirable for all of us, but it is essential if leaders are to lead.” Edgar Schein
