Culture matters.
My daughter is fairly new in the workforce; she’s working a couple of part-time jobs as she finishes college. It’s been interesting to watch how the atmosphere of the company and it’s culture impact her decision to remain there or find something else.
Generations X, Y and Z get a bad rap for being lazy and for being short-timers. But what if it’s not about being inherently motivated and more about being inspired to do more?
Cases in point. My daughter’s first job back after spending a semester abroad was at an animal shelter. I was skeptical about this one, but mostly because I can’t go into those places without being reduced to tears. (Bless those of you who can and who take care of those animals in need.) She didn’t last long there, but it wasn’t because the place made her sad. It was because they were unorganized and she has a very high need for order. Not the worst thing in the world to realize early in your career. Chaos is not appealing to her.
The next job was a fitness studio. She got free classes, and that’s the only thing that kept her there for any length of time. They screwed up her paperwork so that it took six weeks for her to get her first paycheck , they gave her very little training, and they left her to fend for herself almost immediately. She’s smart, she figured stuff out and made it work. There were free classes after all.
The reason she’s not there anymore has nothing to do with her pay or with her training though, it has to do with the culture. She’s a good worker. Give her a list of tasks and she will get it done. She figured out how to work the systems and ended up helping others. But the feedback she got for her efforts was less than satisfactory. After she spent the day detailing and cleaning machinery with a toothbrush (kill me now) and feeling pretty proud of her efforts, the owner on the company called her out on social media for leaving drops of water on the sink. Who does that? Way to motivate the team, oh clueless leader.
The owner’s propensity to shame people on Facebook aside, the reason my daughter left is because the managers talked about other people. She would hear about how other people doing her same job were terrible, lazy and dumb. She would hear gossip about the clients. They created a culture that left her feeling uncomfortable and unsupported. After all, if leaders are trashing others, what are they saying about her? Oh, right. She left water on the sink. Those machines were sparkling clean, but nothing was said about that on social media or even to her personally. That culture of blame made her quit after two months. It makes me wonder if the X, Y and Zers aren’t just smarter at realizing when there’s a cultural mismatch.
She still works two part-time jobs. She works at a different fitness studio, and although the work is fairly boring and the studio is a bit unorganized, people treat others with respect. That’s important, because she’ll get them organized if she stays long enough. This culture of respect is what keeps her there, not the pay, her schedule, or the free classes.
She just recently replaced the first fitness studio gig with a retail position. One of her friends works there. This friend recommended her to the manager and the store to her. Her friend described the store as a great place to work, a place she enjoyed going and where she felt her co-workers were family. That’s quite a recommendation! So far, my daughter is enthusiastic about the atmosphere there.
This culture microcosm has unfolded over the summer, and it’s reminded me of something critical – culture does matter. Culture of shame and blame? Expect turnover to be high. Culture of respect? Expect high productivity and your great employees recommending other great employees. Not much of a choice there.
Every weekend i used to go to see this web site, for the reason that i want enjoyment, for
the reason that this this web site conations truly good funny information too.
Thanks on your marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you can be a great author.
I will make certain to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back down the road.
I want to encourage you to continue your great posts, have a nice holiday weekend!
Thank you for any other fantastic article. The place else
may anybody get that kind of information in such an ideal method of writing?
I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I’m
at the search for such info.
I’m not sure where you are getting your information, hoiwever good topic.
I needs to spend some time learnig more or figuring out more.
Thank you for excellent info I wass on the lookout forr this info ffor my mission.
webpage
Excellent post. I used to be checking constantly this blog and I am inspired!
Extremely useful information specially the ultimate part 🙂 I care for such
info much. I used to be looking for this particular info for a very lengthy time.
Thanks and good luck.
my blog: affitto casa sardegna sul mare
Quality posts is the key to invite the visitors
to go to see the web page, that’s what this website is providing.
What’s up to all, the contents present at this site are truly awesome for people experience, well, keep up the good work fellows.
I used to be recommended this blog by means of my cousin. I’m now not sure whether this post is
written through him as no one else recognize
such distinct approximately my trouble. You’re wonderful!
Thanks!
Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am inspired!
Very helpful info specifically the remaining part :
) I deal with such info much. I was looking for this certain information for a long time.
Thank you and best of luck.
Everything is very open with a very clear clarification of
the challenges. It was definitely informative.
Your website is extremely helpful. Many thanks for sharing!
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you
knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically
tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you
would have some experience with something like this.
Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to
your new updates.
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this article!
It’s the little changes that make the greatest changes.
Thanks a lot for sharing!
I’m very pleased to find this great site. I need
to to thank you for your time for this particularly fantastic read!!
I definitely liked every part of it and i also have you bookmarked to check out new stuff on your website.
Hello my family member! I wish to say that this post is awesome, great written and include approximately all significant infos.
I’d like to peer more posts like this .
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular article!
It’s the little changes that produce the most important changes.
Thanks for sharing!
Having read this I thought it was rather informative. I
appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this information together.
I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and leaving comments.
But so what, it was still worth it!
Its not my first time to visit this website, i am
visiting this site dailly and get pleasant data from here every day.
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after
I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say great blog!
We stumbled over here coming from a different web address and thought I
may as well check things out. I like what I see so i
am just following you. Look forward to going over your web page
yet again.
I really like what you guys tend to be up too.
This sort of clever work and exposure! Keep up the fantastic works guys I’ve you guys to my personal blogroll.