Culture is where you meet others and the environment you individually and collectively create together. Sid Madge, Meee shares more

In this context is it easy to see why culture has such a massive impact on business. It’s also quite easy to appreciate just how hard it is to change culture. It can be changed or modified in two directions from the collective to the individual and the individual to the collective.

By developing an inclusive culture, that works for all, you will create a healthy place to work and learn that everyone will enjoy being part of. You’ll retain great staff, and everyone’s productivity and enthusiasm will improve. In other words, you’ll help everyone be the best they can be.

Below are three great ways to create a nurturing, supportive and inclusive culture so we can all shine, individually and collectively:

1. Don’t be Afraid to Ask

What is your culture at work? Is it what you want it to be? If we start there then we can build something that accepts, honours and nurtures everyone involved for who they are. Everyone is interesting and brings something unique to the world. Everyone has value.

One of the quirks of adulthood is we stop asking. We stop asking questions because we don’t want to look like we don’t know the answer and we stop asking for what we want. This shouldn’t be some selfish temper tantrum, but we all have the right to be in a place that is nurturing and supportive and to speak up when it’s not. Culture isn’t changed overnight, it is often a much slower process that comes about when lots of people start to speak up. Mental health is now being taken seriously because people started to speak up and ask for support. They raised the issues and kept raising the issues.

There is an adage that we get what we expect. But I’d go further: we get what we are willing to settle for. The only way to create a better culture is to stop accepting the one we currently inhabit and ask for something better.

Take a minute to think about the culture of your workplace. What stands out about this culture? Is there something specific that really bothers you? If so, speak up. Decide to stop accepting it, and lead by example.

2. Embrace Change

We might like the idea of things staying the same, but they never do for long. Life is change. Besides we would just get bored if everything were always the same and we were always the same. All great cultures adapt. Or they die out. It’s as simple as that.

The greater we are at adapting to change, the richer our lives become. I’m often asked how I deal with change and have been called a change expert. To me I accept what is, and I adapt to what is happening without trying to fight it. The more we resist the more things tend to persist.

As adults, we have to become much more comfortable with failure. It’s the same issue as our unwillingness to ask. Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck refers to the differences as the growth and fixed mindset. Children naturally have a growth mindset: they try, fail, try again and ask a million questions about everything. Adults try, fail and cover up any attempt they even tried and refuse to ask anything in case they look foolish. The kids have it right.

Take a minute to think about the last time you resisted change? How did it turn out? Do you have a growth mindset or a fixed mindset? Change is inevitable, so we may as well embrace it and enjoy the journey.

3. Be More Bilbo  

I recently lost my best friend Bilbo, a 12 and half year-old Springer Spaniel. Often people who have never had a dog find it difficult to understand the devastation of losing a pet, but he really was my best friend. He never complained, growled or moaned, he just lived life to the full. He was always happy to meet new people and saw the best in everyone. Everyone was a friend he just hadn’t sniffed yet. He was welcoming and loving every morning and was content with the simple things – a nice tennis ball, a walk on the beach or a cosy snuggle. The feeling I have for him is one of absolute admiration, respect and love. He was joy itself and my life is far emptier without him. Although I’m incredibly sad right now, I am also so grateful he shared his life with me. And I’ve vowed to Be More Bilbo from here on in.

I think we should all Be More Bilbo. The poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”  So true. Bilbo always made my life feel better, especially after a tough day. I don’t remember anything other than those wonderful feelings.

Culture is the same in many respects. Take a minute to think about how the culture you work in makes you feel? How, in the course of your day, do you make others feel? Are you uplifting and supportive, or grumpy and demanding? How are you contributing to a positive or negative culture in at work?

By taking just a few minutes a day to check and monitor how we are impacting the people in our environment we can all develop better, strong and more inclusive and supportive cultures.