We saw in Objectives, Values, Strategy and Change that team leaders throughout the firm have a part to play in bringing about the desired culture. It is not only a matter for those in senior positions. The values of the firm will not be actively embraced unless leaders of all teams reinforce them at every opportunity. Here are some simple ways for team leaders to influence the cultures of their firms:
- Behave as a role model and set examples to others. If attending meetings on time is regarded as desirable conduct then make sure that you are always there a few minutes before the start.
- Engage in lots of talk with your team members. Discuss goals and the ways of meeting them with your colleagues both one to one and with the team as a whole.
- Commit the main values, beliefs and standards of conduct to writing and circulate the information in a simple and colourful way to your team colleagues.
- Reinforce beliefs with standards and rewards. If the firm believes in outstanding service quality then agree quality standards and reward those who achieve them. If the firm believes that people should invest time in learning then agree standards and reward those who develop their skills.
- When you recruit new team members select those who fit the desired culture or who are clearly capable of adapting to it.
- When you promote people make sure that they embody the desired culture.
- Ensure that the coaching and mentoring that you do is concerned with the firm’s philosophy, values and beliefs as well as with skills, methods and techniques.
- Create events, for example workshops, at which you and your team colleagues explore values and beliefs and the ways that they can be ‘lived’ on a day-to-day basis.