- Assess the strength of your culture. Years ago, I reviewed a culture assessment tool with a business owner. He gave himself the highest rankings, assuring me his staff would as well. When my assessment for his company was complete, however, this owner learned his entire team had rated his leadership – and the culture of his organization – very low.
1 Corinthians 3:18 says, “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.” To establish a healthy culture, begin with an objective assessment of your existing culture; otherwise, you are likely to be deceived.
- Cast vision for the future. In 1961, during the “Cold War” with Russia, U.S. President John F. Kennedy cast a bold vision. He proclaimed America would place a man on the moon by 1970. By publicly communicating his dream, Kennedy set the stage for the fulfillment of that vision.
In Habakkuk 2:3, the Lord told Habakkuk, “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.” Your team needs a vision of what the culture of your organization could look like in the future. If it is compelling enough, they will help you achieve that vision.
- Develop your strategy and tactics. Your culture will not change unless you take the necessary steps. A friend and I were consulting with a contractor on his business culture. While developing the strategy and tactics, it became obvious this contractor had language barriers requiring some adjustments. These helped the process – and the business – to move forward successfully.
Proverbs 16:9 teaches, “The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” When developing your strategy and tactics, begin with the vision of the future, invite God into the process, and break down the necessary steps your unique situation will require.
- Communicate, communicate, communicate. If you do not constantly communicate values and vision for the future, they can be easily forgotten. Some leaders host events focused on company values. Others scroll their values on TV screens or post signs on office walls.
In Deuteronomy 6, God communicated His laws by telling the Israelites, “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” To develop a healthy culture, communicate values frequently and consistently.
- Make periodic assessments and adjustments. A company had a fairly strong culture. However, when a partner of the business left, taking customers and employees with him, this devastated the organization’s culture. Developing a culture is not a destination, it is a journey.
Facing an enemy attack, Nehemiah, had to assess his culture and adjust while rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. In Nehemiah 4:9 he wrote, “But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night.” As part of your plan for building a healthy culture don’t forget to schedule periodic assessments.
