Management Tip of the Day: Change Your Culture a Few Behaviors at a Time

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile AUGUST 15, 2012 Change Your Culture a Few Behaviors at a Time Many leaders try to change their company's culture in tandem with new strategies, such as mergers or turnarounds. But most cultures are so entrenched that wholesale change is near impossible. Instead, choose your battles and focus on a few critical shifts. First observe the behaviors prevalent in your organization now. Then compare that to how people would act in an ideal state where their actions supported the new business objectives. Prioritize the behaviors that will have the greatest impact on your company's ability to implement its strategy. Choose ones that will be widely visible to others and are most likely to be emulated. Emphasizing just a few will allow you to move the needle on culture change much more easily. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Culture Change that Sticks" by Jon R. Katzenbach, Ilona Steffen, and Caroline Kronley. Read the article and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Us Plus Them: Tapping the Positive Power of Difference HBR Press Book Us-versus-them is the costly mind-set in which organizations too often find themselves trapped. In fact, recognizing difference as a positive force can bring astonishing value to even the most diverse organizations. Through a wide range of examples from small-town classrooms to corporate boardrooms, leadership scholar Todd Pittinsky opens our eyes to misunderstood yet useful aspects of us-and-them relations, including many of the neglected positive dimensions of difference. Pittinsky shows us that our great diversity experiment hasn't failed — it hasn't even begun. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Apply the Right Kind of Pressure to Innovators Create Raving Fans for Your Idea Demonstrate Your Credibility as a Leader Explore a New Career with an Informational Interview Reveal Your Intentions to Build Trust Motivate Your Problem Employee Introverts Can Still Innovate Give Your Organization a Marketing Makeover Create an Office Space that Encourages Teamwork Get the Most From Your Star Salespeople All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing HBR's Morning Advantage The Harvard Business Review Morning Advantage delivers the latest business ideas from beyond HBR.org directly to your inbox every morning — and it is free! Sign up today >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)