Culture is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Over the last month, I have engaged in over 10 meetings with existing and potential clients to facilitate conversations or deliver training on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) topics. Far too many organizations are looking for a quick-fix DEIB solution to address their culture challenges. They simply want to tackle one building block, psychological safety, instead of fixing the other parts of their culture.

My response to them is always some form of this: Culture is a marathon, not a sprint!

Hiring the Right Consultant

It takes time and effort to fix a broken culture. Anyone who tells you that they can come into your organization and “fix” your culture is not being truthful. Remember, culture is what the people in the organization stand for, how they operate, and how they feel.

You should hire a consultant to help you navigate the culture elevation landscape. The consultant should then explain how they are not going to be able to just hand you a manual on how to fix your culture. Everyone in the organization shares responsibility for fixing the culture.

Here are a few ways that a consultant can help your organization reset its culture:

• Identify the sources of your existing culture breakdowns.

• Facilitate conversations that are difficult and uncomfortable because of low levels of psychological safety.

• Guide you in designing your desired culture.

• Coach individuals and groups to move beyond culture challenges that have impacted their ability to perform effectively in the workplace.

• Co-create an actionable and sustainable culture elevation plan and the means to measure its progress.

• Provide tools and resources to build your endurance during the culture elevation journey.

• Design and deliver leadership development learning experiences (for leaders at every level within the organization) to increase their knowledge, build their skills, and reset their thinking in each of the 10 culture building blocks.

You Have to Do the Work

Fixing a broken culture requires leaders who are willing to invest the resources (time and people) to make a positive and lasting impact on the organization. It will not happen overnight, but it is something that companies must strive to do to achieve and maintain success.

One person did not create your culture, and one person cannot fix your culture. The consultant can only partner with you to fix your culture. They cannot do it for you. You, the people in the organization, must reimagine, redesign, and recreate the culture that you desire.

Unfortunately, you will not be able to fix just one aspect of your culture since it is an interconnected system made up of 10 parts.

Train for the Culture Marathon

There are many things to consider when training for a marathon. Although I have never actually completed a marathon, I found that the same tips for training for a marathon could be helpful in your culture elevation journey.

The following are five tips that should help make the process a bit easier:

1) For a marathon, start with short distances and a slow pace and gradually increase your mileage and pace as you make progress. This tip helps prevent injuries and fatigue during the early period, which can be demotivating. For changing culture, this approach will help you to build momentum and confidence in your ability to make positive and incremental changes.

2) For a marathon, cross-train as much as possible. This will help keep your muscles and joints strong and healthy. For culture changes, involve a representative cross-section of the people in the organization to avoid only seeing things from one group’s perspective.

3) For a marathon, include strength training in your regimen. This will help you maintain muscle mass and prevent injuries. For culture changes, find senior leader champions with the organizational muscle to keep your efforts at the forefront of everyone’s mind.

4) For a marathon, drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet. This will provide your body with the energy it needs to complete the marathon. For culture changes, take time out to celebrate your hard work and reflect on what you’ve accomplished. This also gives your mind time to rest, which creates space for new and creative ideas.

5) For marathons and culture, be patient and stay positive. Marathon training can be challenging, but it’s worth it in the end!

Stay Encouraged

Although it can be frustrating when things don't go as planned, the rewards for fixing a broken culture are plentiful: improved productivity, stronger relationships, and a stronger organization.

A culture's success or failure depends on how well it integrates newcomers and retains members. It’s important to remember that changing a culture is a marathon, not a sprint. You cannot afford to stop running because your organization’s success depends on it!

Originally posted on LinkedIn.