Good day,
Company culture creates connections across organizational boundaries.
We were able to experience this recently at the first "One-X Culture Cafe" in Vaduz: With a diverse group of representatives from organizations in Liechtenstein and the Rhine Valley, we spent over two hours exchanging ideas on specific examples of corporate culture. In the end, new relationships were formed: "We would like to continue the conversation and are curious to discuss further corporate culture cases from the region," was the feedback.
What led to the exchange turning into an unexpectedly open dialogue?
Participants at the first Kultur Café in Vaduz
#1: Case clinic format
The case clinic is a playful method that encourages listening.
Along the guidelines of the Presencing Institute (Massachsetts Institute of Technology), we were able to illuminate the examples from many perspectives, even beyond rational considerations. Emotions, images and metaphors were used to generate new impulses for solutions.
#2: Trustful handling
Communication at eye level creates new relationships.
We had invited the participants from among our LinkedIn contacts. The unifying element: facing a concrete (corporate) cultural challenge. Trust in the group was already established at the beginning, when it was a matter of discovering commonalities in the diversity of cases.
#3: Openness
"Openness is the key to culture change."
This is how one participant summarized what he learned for his situation. The concept of openness came up more often in the final round: Especially in challenging situations, it was felt to be helpful to share experiences with others. At the same time, the participants took away that their "own" solutions are not necessarily the solutions for the problems of others.
#4: Humanity
Especially in turbulent times, we also need a "pause culture".
In order to grasp cultural problems, it is also necessary to reflect on oneself. For the boss in particular, it can be helpful to escape the hamster wheel or the "pressure room" in order to recognize how pressure on employees can be reduced.
#5: Images stick
"If you have a view of the entire loom, you can first see where a thread may break."
With this image, the participants described that it often simply takes a new look at existing problems.
Culture Cafés are the first step to experiencing new perspectives. Want to join us next time or schedule your own Culture for your company or team? Just reply to me to this email.
