Standards Become Culture in Family Business

Standards are how we perform, where we are and what we hold ourselves and others accountable. In many organizations, employees must meet standards of professional behavior as a condition of employment. These standards help an organization create a respectful working environment for everyone. If you learn the standards that govern your workplace, you can ensure that your behavior is acceptable and prepare to succeed in your job. Acceptable behavior is also required for acceptance the Team.

What are the standards of your Family owned business? Family business standards make up your culture.

Have you ever considered these points?

Communication – means we look each other in the eye, we tell each other the truth
Respect – means we respect each other, each other’s time –by being prepared and on time
Collective Responsibility – means no silos, we help each other and win together.
Intelligence – means we know our customers, we are a learning organization and value intellect

Telling the truth all the time is one heck of a standard. Have you heard the story of the Coach telling his player “You are playing very well, do you like it when I tell you the truth?” and the Coach telling the player,” You are playing with your head up your butt, do you like it when I tell you the truth?” It’s the same truth. Your critics are people who care.

Respect is more than admiration. It means having the other guys back, asking if you can help and asking for help. Being prepared, carrying your own water is a cornerstone of respect. When someone has your back, they are there to support you unconditionally.

Collective responsibility is winning together, losing together celebrating and grieving; our victories become sweeter and our sorrows soften. Together we can accomplish much, so much more.

Intelligence is what we aspire for, thru intelligence we learn, we heal, we get better and we make others better.

In their classic 1982 book, “Corporate Cultures: The Rites and Rituals of Corporate Life,” Terrence Deal and Allan Kennedy outlined some company culture types.

1. Work-hard, play-hard culture: This has rapid feedback/reward and low risk resulting in: Stress coming from quantity of work rather than uncertainty. High-speed action leading to high-speed recreation. Examples: Restaurants, software companies.
2. Tough-guy macho culture: This has rapid feedback/reward and high risk, resulting in the following: Stress coming from high risk and potential loss/gain of reward. Focus on the present rather than the longer-term future. Examples: police, surgeons, sports.
3. Process culture: This has slow feedback/reward and low risk, resulting in the following: Low stress, plodding work, comfort and security. Stress that comes from internal politics and stupidity of the system. Development of bureaucracies and other ways of maintaining the status quo. Focus on security of the past and of the future. Examples: banks, insurance companies.
4. Bet-the-company culture: This has slow feedback/reward and high risk, resulting in the following: Stress coming from high risk and delay before knowing if actions have paid off. The long view is taken, but then much work is put into making sure things happen as planned. Examples: aircraft manufacturers, oil companies.

What are the standards of your Team?  What are the words that describe how we treat each? What we can expect from one and other? What are those things our Family Business holds us accountable?