Conversations about creating culture have always intrigued me. Our collective obsession with copying the cultures of massive companies like Google and Facebook fascinates me even more.
At DisruptHR YVR in June, Eric Termuende discussed how "HR Is Killing Culture". Eric attests that we should strive to be inspired by aspirational cultures, not to copy them. Because the things that we aren't play a powerful role in the story of who we are. What we aren't matters as much as what we are. After all, we can't be everything to everyone.
Culture isn't a one size fits all. Your culture should not be the same as the big giants. In fact, it shouldn't be the same as anyone else's culture. You are different than Google, and you are different than Facebook. You are unique. An authentic culture is representative of the people and the differences that make your company you!
As a business owner and leader who feels deeply about the importance of building a great place to work, I have battled a learning curve with culture. More specifically with the realization that culture isn't just up to me. As a business owner, I am responsible for helping to cultivate, resource, and drive culture. It isn't mine to create. Culture is manifested by our team. It's a living, breathing, ever-evolving thing.
Many of our clients are small, rapidly growing businesses across a broad range of industries. Although they are diverse, a common threads with our clients is that they genuinely care about their people, and want to intentionally cultivate a healthy culture. I have a - perhaps unpopular -belief that culture cannot be singlehandedly created. Not by business owners, by HR, or by an external consultant.
When you are small, every single person who joins your team has an amplified impact on your culture - for better or for worse. This makes it especially critical to hire people who will enhance your culture. Often we spend more time addressing the symptoms instead of focusing on the cause. We can't fix culture any more than we can singlehandedly create culture. Start strong. When your business is young and/or growing, focus on building a great team that optimizes your culture.
Curious about how to build a team that will optimize your culture? Let's connect - we would love to brainstorm and collaborate with you!
Brianna Blaney
Founder + Managing Partner
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