Management + Leadership = Culture
Another way to look at culture is to consider it as the sum of all management skills and leadership styles of corporate leaders.
Safety is the New Leadership
The blend of these two elements – the head-driven management and the heart-led leadership – significantly shapes the character and dynamics of an organization. They may support or set up barriers to an effective culture.
With this in mind, let's briefly look at some of the characteristics that support and those that create barriers to a successful culture
Characteristics that support corporate culture include:
- Safety is integrated with operations: Safety is "invisible" and included in all functions.
- Open Communication: Encourages transparency and the free flow of ideas.
- Shared Values: Aligns personal values with organizational goals. Safety is a value, not a priority that can be compromised.
- Recognition and Reward Systems: Motivates and acknowledges employee contributions.
- Leadership by example: Leaders exemplify and reinforce cultural values.
- Collaboration and Teamwork: Fosters a sense of unity and collective effort.
- Adaptability: Embraces change and innovation.
Characteristics that are barriers to corporate culture include:
- Resistance to Change: Hesitancy or refusal to adapt to new ideas or processes.
- Silos and Segregation: Departments or teams operate in isolation, hindering cooperation.
- Poor Communication: Lack of transparency and open dialogue.
- Misalignment of Values: A gap between stated values and actual practices.
- Lack of Leadership Support: Leaders do not practice what they preach.
- Rigid Hierarchies: Overemphasis on structure limits flexibility and innovation.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
8-9. Which of the following promotes an effective safety culture?
You forgot to answer the question!