Our favorite slogans

In this blogpost we want to highlight some of our favorite slogans that demonstrate Agile mindset. The slogans and quotes provided below pretty much summarize beliefs of our company.

Culture eats strategy for breakfast.

You may have whatever well formulated strategy. If people in your company are not committed, if processes are heavy, if leaders are not exhibiting the right behavior, if there is too much bureaucracy - the disengaged staff will not execute your fantastic plan. And you will have too few tools in your hands to course correct.

Culture - is a summary of worst behavior you tolerate to your management.

If you are a company owner - or CEO - you are responsible for behavior of your management team. They are the front-line to your employees. If they exhibit the basic human values - such a trust, openness, respect and courage - you can be happy. Such leaders inspire their colleagues and they copy their behavior.

However - disrespect, absence of trust, hidden agendas - lead to dysfunctional teams. And in such culture expectations can be hardly high.

The standard you walk past, is the standard you accept.

This quote by Lt. of Australian Army David Morrison is valid especially for leaders. It truly describes how leaders can support (or ruin) good atmosphere in a team.

This quote specificly focuses on ignorance of bad behavior. If a leader spots a disrespectful behavior (or even worse bullying) - and he ignores it, he/she broadcast to the entire team: "it is fine to behave like that!"

Remember - as leaders you are responsible for your team morale. And you have to protect it. Do not ignore bad behavior, it will turn back as a boomerang.

Take care of your employees and they will take care of your business. It's as simple as that.

Obvious thing, isn't it? But is such principle resonating through vast amount of companies? We would say there is still lots of room for improvement.

First of all - your employees are not assets neither resources. They are people at the first place.

When people are treated a human beings they are happy. And they transform their happiness into gratitude. And their gratitude into high performance and engagement.

When they are treated just las "serial numbers" - they provide serial work. Not more, and frequently even less.

invest into your people. Lead by example. Good leadership style will not cost you more money. Maybe a little bit more energy, but believe us - it will greatly pay off.

Be the change you want to see.

Again one simple and one (pretty) hard. If you demand a change then lead the change. Show your committment and "walk the talk." This is extremely important for people to have a reason. A reason to follow you from their comfort zones.

Because any change inevitably raises resistance. Even from top performers and loyal employees.

Why? - It is a natural human reaction. "Things were working pretty well, and now some (ehm) consultant tells us we should do it other way. Does he say we did it wrong up to now? What???

I really do not have a reason to do it, unless I am told. And if I am told, I will "fake" it somehow.

This is natural. And it is not any bad intention. It just undermines the improvement journey.

For any (successful!) transformation you need to offer people answer to the question "What is in it for me?"

Yes - the change will bring them better transparency, safety, improved workplace ecosystem and so on.

But until your leaders exhibit by their behavior that they LIVE the change, your people will very likely stay behind. Because they will not trust you that you really MEAN IT. Cheap is talk, right?

Once you will live your change, people will follow. With enthusiasm, passion and love.