Good morning, Team! It’s Friday!

Greetings from Boston. Rain dominates the weather this week compared to the excessive snow they suffered through last year.

I’ve had to make some staff adjustments this week and out of respect for the dedicated souls impacted, I’ll spare details and just say…
Preservation or restoration of a culture that enables professionalism and productivity is some of the hardest work I’ve done in my life.

I’ve heard it said by some very smart people that it takes 3-7 years to turn around a culture. If 5 years is the average and expectations are to reduce that time frame by 75%, I can only do so much.

Changes in performance seldom come before changes in one’s personal outlook. Casting a clear vision is not simple in a diversified group with a wide variety of experience, demography and beliefs. This can be further exacerbated by disenfranchised leaders and managers who have resorted to survival techniques rather than constantly looking for ways to reinvent, adapt, adjust and thrive.

I talked to many of the talented leaders and managers and exceptional individual contributors while here who shared their confidence, concerns, commitments and questions. Their words and facial expressions, subtle innuendos, vocal tones and inflections demonstrate a mix of vulnerability and absolution. We live here, we laugh here, and we serve our clients.

I’ve come to believe culture is a nebulous vessel filled and vacated daily like a bank account where there are deposits and withdrawals. The currency are the souls that pass through the doors and halls and we as leaders must work to create a setting that allows for positive behavior and minimizes barriers to getting things done.

Leaders, pay attention to your culture. Nurture it, maintain it, communicate, set expectations and model the behavior you want exhibited. Regular checkups will prevent major surgery.

Have a blessed weekend!