Stephen H Baum Leadership

CULTURE IS THE JOB OF THE BUSINESS OWNER

Think “culture” is all touchy-feely? Hard to define? Harder still to shape?

In @adambryant’s latest Corner Office column, ad agency chief Paul Venables discusses “culture” and the imperative that the leader get it right. Many people are confused about what culture is really about, some are crisp in their definition. Venables is worth reading.

Venables speaks to more than “football and Pizza Fridays:” people knowing your there to support them (you and each level of supervisor), not micromanaging and fearing failure, there to help when they are challenged,  encouraging openness. He speaks of demanding that supervisors learn to get people to want to work for them.

Says the formerly “maniacal” detail manager: “If I get the culture right, it will attract the right people and they’re going to do the right kind of work.”

For the complete article in the New York Times, go to:

 Corner Office: Paul Venables on Culture

One of our Vistage speakers said of culture: “It is about what people tell their neighbors at the barbecue  about what it’s like to work at your company.”

That’s just my view. What’s yours?

p.s. I am a regular reader of Corner Office and a fan of Adam Bryant.