One can quickly detect the organization’s personality upon walking into an office or a store. Reflect on your own experiences. There are those companies where people seem eager, excited, and genuinely interested in what they are doing. Then you walk into other environments where the staff is more intent on hiding away, being on their phones, or taking their break than serving the customer.
Every organization, like humans, has a personality. For example, if you walk into an Apple store worldwide, you will get a sense of who they are regardless of the location. – the people, the layout. Compare that to other stores that may be competitors or even partners in some capacities. Another clear example is fast food chains and hotels. A few come to mind who exemplify a personality they wish to portray favorably, while others merely seem to exist without purpose or direction.
Like people, creating a solid upbeat personality takes time. It requires deliberate thought to the actions and behaviors we demonstrate daily, with no exception. However, those with stable identities are aware of their characteristics. They want these virtues to shine through and wish to stay fundamental to who they are.
It is rare for an organization, like a human, to have a solid upbeat personality and have little self-awareness. They diligently apply the principles they set and constantly seek to demonstrate them. Contrast that to organizations and people with flawed characters. There is a lack of awareness. It is typically self-serving, and they give no attention to their behavior.
As with strong positive personalities that others naturally gravitate toward, companies with solid cultures continue to attract the right people. Again, this is no luck or chance, but instead, the result of deliberate thought, attention, and care in their culture.
Your organization has a personality. If you continue to attract quality-inspired and energetic talent, you likely attend to your culture intentionally. If you struggle to keep people, performance is stagnant, and there is little desire to do better, it is not only the individuals but the organizational personality you have that has created this. Flawed, weak, and stagnant organizations do not attract thriving, lively individuals.
Like people, personalities are not permanent and can change, assuming there is an appreciation of it and a committed desire to transform. Do you know your personality? If unsure, look at who you attract and the issues you perpetually seem to encounter. It is by design.
