Well, the fact is, we’re all cultured. The more important question would be what is your culture? What is the culture of your business? Are you a nose to the grindstone, top down management or a lax ruled, “whatever”, kind of business? What do your employees say about their experience working in your company? The culture that is your business should not happen accidently. It should be well thought out and well fostered.

 

I just finished reading Lessons in Loyalty: How Southwest Airlines Does It – An Insider’s View by Lorraine Grubbs-West that tells the story of Southwest Airlines’ business and the work culture that they became famous for. The loyalty they are discussing is employee (which will lead to customer loyalty). This post is about the 1st three of nine lessons that the book offers.

 

Lesson #1- Hire Attitude, Train Skills

I couldn’t agree with this more. Many times early in my management career, I hired the skills/the resume, only to be disappointed with the attitude or personality. I know now that you need to hire the right interpersonal abilities, the right desire, and be prepared to train the technical skills to do the job.

 

Lesson #2- Immerse Everyone in the Culture Immediately

Make sure that your people understand from the start what is expected of them and what they can expect from your company. New employees should eat, sleep, breathe the culture of your organization. Sounds a bit much, though, doesn’t it. In actuality, the right people should be so excited that they will want to immerse themselves in it.

 

Lesson #3- Keep ‘Em Learning
Personal lifelong learning is something I completely believe in. You stop learning and your brain gets stuck in a rut. Your employee’s life in your organization should be filled with education and professional development opportunities as well, to keep them excited, ready for problem solving, and always growing. Take them to conferences and/or workshops, pass good books onto them, team teach new skills and ideas. 

 

To hire and grow your people to be the culture of your organization that you want will pay off in greater satisfaction and longevity with the company and they will project this to your customers.

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