A few weeks ago I sat next to a new student in class. We initially exchanged the initial pleasantries that come with business school: thoughts on the last exam, discussion on the latest Colts win, and of course "what kind of work do you do?"
The student I met worked for a commercial mortgage broker and quickly lamented how much he disliked his company. He enjoyed the work but had plans to leave his employer as soon as he finished school. I thought about him and his frustration with his company. The student did not dive into the details but it was obvious there were some challenges at work beyond client demands.
The pre-lecture exchange got me thinking about what to do when you are apart of a sour company culture. If exiting is not an option - what is there do to? Especially if not in a management position?
I have a strong belief that people need to take control of their own situations to achieve a preferred outcome. Sometimes this means being a change agent for a significant shift in an organization, other times small "one degree shifts" are what is necessary or feasible.
Here are some common signs of a poor work culture and some methods for "righting the ship"
Office Gossip
"Did you hear Frank missed his sales quota for the third time in a row?" "Carol has been late to work two days in a row this week and I heard her arguing on the phone over her lunch break..."Office gossip can be tricky to avoid and almost always toxic for the workplace. Forbes writer Lisa Quast writes about how to address such negative influence in the workplace. Simply put the best way to address the gossip is head on. A simple and professional rebuttal such as, "I don't think Carol would appreciate us talking about her..." and change the subject. This may not stop the chatter outright but it at least send a message that it is not wanted everywhere.
Lack of Trust
A work environment without trust is about as effective as a V-8 engine with no spark plugs. Trust is what enables teams to take chances, have debates, and confront problems head on. When there is no trust among coworkers, the company will stall. These situations can be difficult because it usually signals a threat of being burned if someone "puts them self out there". Author Bruna Martinuzzi provides seven suggestions for building trust in the work place.
Where is a quick place to start? Own up to your mistakes when they happen. No one is perfect, nor can anyone expect perfection from others. Admitting to a mistake then seeking advice from a co-worker can be a simple olive branch to say "we are in this together".No Fun
When you have to spend (at least) eight hours a day at your job, it can become excruciating when it feels like there is nothing positive about being there. Sooner than later your job becomes a chore rather than a fulfilling activity. Injecting some fun into the office takes more than just a Hawaiian shirt Friday. While every business has a different idea of what "fun" is, AG Careers provides some suggestions for a wide range of audiences.
What is the quick fix? Most workplaces allow for a sports fantasy league which can inject some friendly competition among co-workers. If your office is not into sports, think about implementing a brown bag lunch once a week to host a book club or discuss the latest episode of Revenge.Turning the ship is never easy and it can take a long time, but as Ghandi once said, "Be the change you wish to see."
-Dave
Photo credits:
http://www.teambonding.com/fostering-a-winning-team/
http://adoptanegotiator.org/2009/10/06/a-culture-of-mistrust/
http://stuffgradslike.com/bored-at-work/
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