4 Strategies to Help Build a Purpose-Driven Organizational Culture

How to build purpose driven organization? 

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase organizational culture?  Probably visions of team members collaborating to accomplish a common goal.  The term organizational culture easily conjures up ideals of group chemistry and cohesion.  While this is a fair assumption, choosing to focus exclusively on the social nature of organizational culture is misleading.  Yes, organizational culture has a lot to do with interaction.  However, unity of purpose is the true foundation necessary to build an exceptional organizational culture.  More so than structured interaction.

No Purpose, No Direction

Organizational Psychologist and Author Benjamin Hardy suggests that “Purpose is the goal to which the organization is trying to accomplish anything. The goal shapes the identity of the organization. That identity is manifested through culture. It is the culture of the organization that moves the organization in the direction of the goal. Without a clear purpose, there cannot be a designed culture.” When members of a team have a sense of purpose in their collaboration, they are naturally encouraged to coalesce on a functional level.  This is because people who share a given purpose, do not hesitate to work mutually in service of that purpose.  Here are a few tips on how to build a strong organizational culture within your company:

1) Give People Space

Allowing people to have the flexibility of free expression and independent thought stimulates vibrant innovation.  It creates the kind of atmosphere where ideas can be exchanged without tension or limitations.  Clamping down on employees with rigid expectations forces them to sacrifice creativity in order to concentrate on following bureaucratic rules.

2) Don’t Force Camaraderie

Chemistry within a team is only legitimate when relationships are organic.  There’s nothing more distracting than having to fraternize under duress with colleagues. People should be allowed to engage and adjust to one another in a transactional way.  If an office environment has a lot of gratuitous relationships, personal conflicts will eventually spill over and diminish productivity.

3) Put People First

Companies exist to make profits, but profits can never be achieved without people.  If your organization does not instill a sense of satisfaction in its members, chances are your organizational culture will be brittle.  Treating employees fairly and generously motivates them to espouse deep loyalty.  Loyalty to the organization at large, and loyalty to one another as associates.

4) Nurture People’s Talents

When workers are allowed to pursue their passions, the opportunity to flourish creates a profound sense of fulfillment.  People who have the room to exercise their talents not only take pride in their work, but they appreciate the context in which they can be creative.  Accomplishing this dynamic on a mass scale encourages efficient cooperation.

Conclusion

When organizational culture is driven by purpose, nothing can break it down.  However, if organizational culture is driven by sentiment, any slight pressure will shatter every weak connection within the culture.  It takes time and choreography to design the kind of organizational culture which is steadfast.  But most of all, humanity has to come first.  Organizations comprise people, and people cannot be coerced into getting along or taking up a cause. If you like what you just read from our blog, you’ll love the various informative courses, workshops and events listed on our websites and social media. Whether you’re interested in personal development, or overall improvement of your business, give us a call at 1 (888) 823-7757 to find out how The RISE Academy can help you break past your daily struggles and start soaring in success. For business development coaching by Richard Martinez, call at 626-202-2291 or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.