The Leader-Culture Connection Part 2

Inspiring Cultures are characterized as follows:


• The leaders of these organizations give clear direction, but they aren't authoritarian; they value the input of every person. Authority is decentralized.

• Leaders cultivate an atmosphere of trust and respect.

• People throughout the organization believe that what they do each day really matters-to themselves, to their teams, to the organization, and to their constituents. They come to work each day with a compelling sense of purpose, a sense of they are involved in a cause much bigger than themselves.

• These organizations have high, yet realistic expectations. They set high goals, train people, give them the resources they need, stay connected throughout the process, and encourage them to succeed.

• Creativity is rewarded, and failures are viewed as stepping stones of growth. In fact, failure is seen as an essential part of the process of innovation, not a fatal flaw.

• There are few, if any, turf battles, so communication flows up and down the organizational chart and between departments.

• Top leaders retrain or replace leaders who cannot provide a positive work environment for their teams.

• There is a powerful synergy between relationships and organizational goals. The organization invests significantly and systematically in creating and building a healthy culture.

• Leaders regularly celebrate success throughout the organization, and they even celebrate those who leave and find success elsewhere.

• These organizations are a magnet for job applicants. They have their pick of the best and the brightest.

Source: Chand, S. (2011) Cracking Your Church’s Culture Code: Seven Keys to Unleashing Vision and Inspiration. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass