In most organizations there are two processes happening at the same time:
- What We Do, and
- How We Do It.
I work every day with brilliant leaders, and I find that the “What We Do” part in their organizations is typically in much better shape than the “How We Do It” part. Generally, leaders understand the metrics and the goals towards which they are striving-the revenue, margin and EBIDTA targets for the organization, for example, but they don’t know how to inspire their teams to achieve them. Often, they may not appreciate what it takes to move beyond the metrics-to achieve greatness.
We might call the, “What We Do” the mechanics of the business and to the “How We Do It” the Organizational Culture.
Few leaders understand that organizational culture always-yes, always-trumps the mechanics of the business. This is because a brilliant strategy, poorly executed, will almost certainly fail, while a weak strategy, executed with passion and inspiration, will nearly always succeed.
Organizational culture then, is the beating heart of high-performance. Changing, “How We Do It” changes everything .
Organizational Culture can best be described as “How we do things around here” and “What we stand for and value most”.
Where “What We Do” is powered by the mind and the ego , “How We Do It” is powered by the soul.
The ego motivates and the soul inspires. Check out this 90-second video clip for more – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL-Zf4b972Y
Hi Lance,
I love this! Thank you for doing what you do, being who you are, and inspiring the world. Your words inspire me everyday.
With love in my heart,
Carrie
Thanks for your kind comments Carrie. And I love receiving feedback, so I really appreciate hearing from you – it completes whatever I do. Please feel free to share our blog – we want to share our message with more and more people who can make a difference. Namaste!
Hi Lance,
As I sit here writing these words with a copy of, Inspire next to me, I am deeply touched once again by your words and your message about Organizational Culture.
Having worked in a social service agency for going on 13 years, I am acutely aware of the ” how ” of this culture and know that if the leaders of this organization read your book(s) the overall morale and energetic feeling of the employees would be much better.
After watching the short video on motivation and inspiration which was so impactful, it seems to come down to two simple words with regards to decisions that are made; are they motivated by fear or inspired by love.
Clearly, everything you do is inspired by love and that is why I love what you stand for and share through your books, talks, videos and path to Higher Ground Leadership teachings.
With a grateful heart
Namaste,
Jonathan
You made my day, Jonathan. Thanks for your kind comments. Check out our DVD-based program – https://secretan.com/staging/training/the-dreamquest-program – perhaps your organization could use this?
Thanks Lance for the link to your DVD program…what I failed to say in my comment to your post is that I’m needing to move on from this social service agency as the environment is not conducive nor open to the kind of principles that you share at the Secretan Center.
It is my hope that I will be able to translate years of counseling experience into a new form of work that allows me to be more authentic and feel inspired, energized and enthusiastic about the work that I contribute as a service in the world.
Then here is another tip: This CD was specifically created for people who are in the process of defining their next career or avocation – https://secretanstore.com/product.php?id=23 – perhaps it might be helpful. Good luck with your search, and please stay in touch.
Thanks Lance! I am grateful for your support.
Perhaps we should add two processes:
Who we are…..
And
How we live it……
Lets include the positive power of our humanness!
Lance, thank you for the continuing inspiration!
Namaste – David
Good point David. Perhaps “authenticity” covers it? Thanks for reading and for your continuing support. Please invite your pals to sign up if you are so inclined. I hope you are thriving.
Dear Lance,
thank you do much for reminding everyone of us to remember “Why” we do what we do.Being clear about that will invite a new level of consciousness to any kind of organization!
Love to all of you
Jutta
Thanks so much Jutta – I heartily agree with you, and I know you are doing this every day! Namaste!