The number one priority for a leader is to take ultimate responsibility for the culture of their organisation.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a multi-national, a footy club, a university or a small business. Culture develops over time and it is the cumulative result of what goes on inside the organisation.
A poor culture will be characterised by ineffective communication, tension, poor performance and unhappy people. A strong culture will be typified by collaboration, pride, loyalty and excellence.
These things, good and bad, don’t happen overnight. They are the result of what the leader does and says. Poor culture develops when a leader is either unaware of the bad stuff happening or doesn’t act to stop it. The good stuff that leads to a strong positive culture is the result of the standards that the leader sets and demands.
Either way, whatever happens is the responsibility of the leader. Not fair? Suck it up, the responsibility is what comes with leadership.
Aspiring leaders who know they don’t have all the answers take action to increase their leadership capability.
Cheers
Greg
PS: Even if you are not the leader of your organisation, you can still take responsibility for the culture of your team, group or those people around you.