Want to keep growing? Nail your company culture
“Hero or villain, your actions in a time of crisis will be remembered” — Tim Burke
Lessons from the market
The Good
Airbnb — A message from co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky
First, I am thankful for everyone here at Airbnb. Throughout this harrowing experience, I have been inspired by all of you. Even in the worst of circumstances, I’ve seen the very best of us. The world needs human connection now more than ever, and I know that Airbnb will rise to the occasion. I believe this because I believe in you.
Lego Ventures — Safehouses
The principle of a safe house is simple: slow down, reflect, and plan.
The Bad
Everything is exposed right now, lead transparently
This crisis is a real test of leadership and quickly identifies leaders and passive observers.
1. Avoid shallow platitudes and speak honestly, none of us knows what the impact of this crisis may be and honesty will build more faith than contradictory messaging.
2. Brutal Optimism, Don’t hide from the brutal facts of your business- make them visible and find the solutions.
3. Servant leadership, ask your team what they to get the job done and do everything you can to get what they need.
4. Deal with bad news humanly, see the Airbnb example, it speaks for itself.
5. Recognise Zoom fatigue, find the team members that have high empathy and get them facilitating and telling you your organisation's emotional gauge.
6. Establish your North Star, establish a clear purpose that your entire organisation is peddling towards.
7. Laugh, cry, celebrate, together. We are sharing experiences and are laid bare to kids crying the background, sick families and job losses. Find time to celebrate even the small wins, together.
Why do any of this?
Growth in the coming months, years is going to come with a myriad of trade-offs and complications. The stronger your company culture is the better your team will be able to respond.
If you neglect this area, it will be more likely your team will disengage, give your customers bad service, sit on great ideas, start looking elsewhere. All of which result in costs you cannot afford right now.
In the coming Ambidextrous Company series, we’ll be exploring more on how you can lead your company for now & tomorrow to ensure growth continues.
Reading for those Netflix free weekends:
· Concept: Emotional Contagion
Stay Safe & Keep Growing!
