An important buzz word in the business world is culture.
If you want your employees to act as you want and expect, they must buy into your culture.
Although two businesses may do the same thing or provide the same service, they will operate differently because of each one’s culture.
Employees will pick up on the culture - even if it isn’t taught - simply by osmosis.
Therefore, bad habits may be passed around unknowingly.
Conversely, if you want a positive culture to be embraced, you must be intentional by teaching and consistency.
This was brought to my attention recently in two different unrelated situations.
One Saturday morning while volunteering at a food pantry, Publix supermarket was present to not only bring food but also help distribute.
Their people were extremely proficient and thorough - clearly due to their training.
As my husband was visiting with their manager, he made the comment that it was a “very smooth operation.”
The manager quickly agreed but added that they were simply in their element - putting out the food, arranging, and organizing was natural for them.
In other words, they weren’t just doing a physical task - it was clear that his helpers bought into the culture of Publix and adapted easily.
One of the things the employees are taught is to “face the shelves.”
Although all will do it, only some will be thorough enough to do it consistently and completely.
Seems that arranging only the front cans on the shelf isn’t enough - the cans behind must also be front facing.
This wouldn’t seem like a big deal except that it separates the workers who are going through the motions from the ones that understand how important it is to do a job well whether anyone is watching or not.
The ones that get promoted will be the ones that buy into the culture and do things the right way.
It becomes easy for them because they agree with the business philosophy and consistently adhere to it.
From a manager or owner perspective, it’s comforting to know your people are operating as they should because they’ve been taught the reason behind your business’ philosophy and know why it’s important.
Once again, it’s not just about the physical task rather the attitude surrounding it.
A business’ culture is basically how the people are taught to think and behave. It’s the reason customers would want to do business with a particular place above another.
Another example occurred at our daughter’s wedding.
There was a buffet set up and all of the guests had filled their plates.
My husband was standing behind the DJ who had come to get some food.
Recognizing that my husband was the father of the bride, he quickly said “Oh, you get to cut the line and get your food!”
My husband responded “no - go ahead, I’m fine.”
The DJ cocked his head sideways as he quickly thought about another wedding he was working that the father had done and said the same thing as my husband.
Seems it apparently made an impression on him due to the unusual nature of both of their actions.
He relayed that the man told him he owned his own restaurant and would never consider serving himself ahead of others.
My husband laughed and said “I also own my own business and I would have to agree that I would never go ahead of others.”
Now it should be noted that not all business owners have this same outlook and feel the same way - but the ones with the true servant hearts will.
You see, it’s a deep seated philosophy that makes a culture what it is.
When working correctly - the owner on down to every employee - believe and buy into a certain belief system.
This belief will guide their thinking and their actions.
At first it’s taught - then adopted - and ultimately becomes a natural expression of one’s very existence.
Ideally it’s a culture that’s positive - because the culture you buy into is the culture that influences your attitude toward other people and situations.
Just as an employee has a choice whether to fully embrace the culture of the business he or she is working for, we also have a choice to fully surrender to the culture we’ve given our life to.
In our walk with God, we have an opportunity to either buy into the culture or not.
We aren’t required to, but if we do embrace it, we will definitely find it easier to do life. It will become part of who we are.
Fully embracing our belief that God has things under control allows us the freedom to operate differently from others.
We won’t act like others who have no hope.
We can be secure in the fact that He will guide our steps and give our life purpose.
Instead of just going through the motions, God is compelling us to buy into His culture by going “all in.”
It will make a difference in how we think, act, and speak.
Ultimately, others will naturally see the difference as they observe us.
They’ll notice how our life may appear to run smoothly - even in a chaotic or difficult situation - because we’re operating according to our belief system.
That belief says our life is not our own. We understand that it’s not about us!
What freedom we can experience knowing we don’t have to figure out everything on our own - we simply need to follow the manual that explains the culture we’re part of.
It’s not about simply going through the motions as we do things - it’s about the reason why we do things, or act a certain way.
It’s all about our worldview that’s been changed to see things differently because we understand the reason we believe what we believe.
It’s time to go all in - buy into God’s culture - it will make a difference!
