People Centered Approaches Build Better Culture
What is the best leadership style? Will a people centered style will outshine other approaches?
The contrasting views of leading are enormous. I am sometimes amazed at the pockets of people and businesses that are struggling with organizational culture.
The struggle is often that so-called leaders, self-proclaimed leaders, inspire a culture focused more on self than the people within the workplace community.
Sometimes it is about the question connected with the golden rule. Do we treat others as we would like to be treated? That’s the rule, right?
A better question is, should we treat others as they would like to be treated?
It’s a rub, I know. Yet, how should workplace leaders navigate our socially challenging times? A time, when it often seems like argument is the only path for communication.
The answer not only connects to the psychology of work, it connects to the fundamentals of the leadership approach.
People Centered
Today, people centered approaches are building positive cultures. In contrast, self-centered leadership approaches build an environment of us against them.
The struggling organizational culture attempts to accomplish their goals through push. Push is a short run game.
The cultures that will survive the storm are more pull oriented. Create a compelling reason for why and we’ll follow.
People centered approaches create community. They create a belonging. People want to join and be a part of what is happening. Loyalty is easy. Retention numbers are favorable.
Don’t confuse bright lights and freshly painted break rooms as a shift in culture. Sure, a good environment matters, but environment is not the same as the culture. People will work in a dungeon if they feel that there is something there worth working for.
People centered is not self-centered.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
