Creature of Culture
Culture de jour?
Sometimes the most fascinating coaching lessons come when you least expect them.
Driving in my car this morning I was listening to a news report about the fate of GM and Chrysler. The person being interviewed used the phrase “creature of the culture” when describing Rick Wagoner, CEO of GM.
Without dissecting the phrase to death, what spoke to me was this question, “Where am I a creature of the culture”?
In other words, where have I won enough battles, manipulated enough systems and opted for the most comfort that I am no longer able to powerfully approach change in my business?
Take a moment to ask yourself that question. My answer scared me half to death.
I’ve won enough battles that now my ego schedules more vacations than I have time for.
I’ve manipulated enough systems that in several communities, what I have to say always goes.
I’ve opted for comfort rather than taking sufficient action in prospecting for my business.
Sound nasty? You bet. Yet it’s the most powerful reflection of the day.
You see, I want to take vacations, I want my voice to be heard, and I always want to share my business with someone new. But I want those things because they are part of a culture of commitment to grow and develop. I don’t want those things if they’re simply part of the culture of comfort.
So, take a moment to distinguish where you’ve become that “creature of culture”. And most importantly, distinguish the culture… commitment or comfort.
Leadership Practices:
- Write out the top five actions you’re taking to develop the leaders in your company, community or family. Are those actions from commitment or comfort?
- Ask five of your colleagues/contemporaries to identify where they see you taking action from commitment. Then ask them where they see you taking action from comfort.
- Make a weekly Top Six Results list. This is NOT a “to-do” list, but a promise to produce specific, tangible results.
- Identify the top five areas of your business or life in which you’re resisting change. Now what?
Happy culture shift,
-Coach Preston
