Whether you are a CEO, project lead or associate, culture is a crucial aspect of any business as it greatly influences the organization’s success. This is due to an optimal amount of trust and synchronization between co-workers when a solid culture is present. I have found this same theme directly correlative to sports as I enter my third season as a college football player. 

Culture is by far the most definitive factor I found contributing to success whether it be winning a conference championship or interning for the North American marketing team of a multinational manufacturing company. In my experience, successful teams and businesses have shared qualities that demonstrate a highly effective culture. 

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Now, it was extremely difficult to narrow it down to just four qualities in an ideal culture, so I have chosen ones that are open to interpretation, but follow the same repetitive path in successful scenarios I have had the honor to be a part of. These traits are compassion, humility, optimism, and a balanced time perspective. Over the next few weeks, I will be breaking down each one of these qualities by sharing some of the psychology as well as my personal experience and opinion.

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I am unbelievably grateful for the community and culture I’m a part of now. This small mountain town gives me peace of mind and I have found plenty of people along the way with a similar mindset. On the other hand, the city I grew up in made me feel out of place physically and mentally. I did not know who I was or what I wanted to be. I would say my self-concept was low as I did not take time for processing, reflection and/or planning. My mindset completely changed when I lost my father in 2019. I discovered one of my core values during this challenging time and I believe it is one of the most underrated values an individual can incorporate into their life.

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My dad was in the hospital for three weeks before his passing with about half of that time spent in hospice. His sickness came with an immediate incoherence that hindered our ability to communicate with him for the entirety of the three weeks. I had never been left alone with my thoughts for this length of time which made it difficult to stay present. The regret I felt regarding what I should have done and said to him put me in a dark place. It took me a lot of time to understand there was nothing I could do to change the past, and while this realization helped, the negative thoughts did not end as I began to think about life without my dad. I was in the middle of my senior football season and had no idea what I wanted to do after graduation. The fact I had to do all of this without him kept me in a bad state of mind. What eventually got me out of this dark place and forever changed my perspective were my dad’s final words. He was somehow able to say he was proud of me after weeks of barely being able to say my name. This made me realize the importance of being present as I could not have been happier to experience that moment and cherish it; his words cleared my negative thoughts of regret while also taking my mind off of the stresses regarding my future. More than three years later, I still attempt to live in the moment as much as I can, but have recognized that the past and future will always be relevant and cannot be ignored. Being present is significant, but also understanding that positive reflection and planning are just as critical for a successful life as it is a happy one. This is why I chose a balanced time perspective as my final entry to this series as it encapsulates everything I have said over the last four weeks. The combination of reflection, presence, and planning are so impactful in terms of success because the interpretation of these thoughts drive motivation and positivity within any situation. If this is incorporated into a business culture, hardship becomes more temporary and subjective, while success is seen as more reachable and consistent. My post from last week touches more on the psychological side of perception and I highly suggest giving that section a read if you haven’t already. With that being said, I truly believe your perception IS your reality and I hope that anyone reading this realizes how much control you have over your own happiness and the influence it has on the people around you.

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In a large organization, designated leaders are not always able to reach every member of the team at any given moment. Building a culture that associates want to embrace is so important because everyone is knowledgeable. In an ideal scenario, it makes less room for neglect and disharmony. One of the biggest reasons I love the idea of culture is that it can be influenced by anyone. A CEO worth millions or minimum wage team member can spark a foundation that becomes contagious within the company. And while a leader is one person with beneficial qualities, culture embodies everyone involved. In my experience, successful teams and businesses have shared qualities that demonstrate a highly effective culture without relying on just one person. This creates environments within an organization that associates are proud of and flourish in. 

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I have created this list for anyone willing to read as it is not only applicable to daily life, but especially important in the business world. The point that I hope resonated with you the most is that ANY individual in ANY role can make an impact on their organization by incorporating these qualities. 

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