How Leaders Think with Kenny Lange

How Delise Simmons Thinks About Making Organizational Values Actually Mean Something

Apr 17, 2024

Delise Simmons, the culture maven behind the Culture Think Tank, discusses the vital link between organizational values and actionable behaviors. She stresses the importance of authentic values in shaping company culture and ensuring employee satisfaction. Delise shares insights on overcoming leadership inconsistencies and the challenges of employee anxiety in a post-COVID world. With experiences from Southwest Airlines, she offers strategies for fostering a disciplined culture that elevates engagement and performance, vital for today's evolving workplace.

40:21

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Episode guests

Delise Simmons

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Leaders must translate organizational values into specific, actionable behaviors to create a culture where employees understand and embody these principles.

Utilizing data to assess cultural dynamics and employee sentiment empowers leaders to implement targeted initiatives that enhance morale and engagement.

Deep dives

Transforming Values into Actionable Behaviors

Many organizations possess stated values, yet they often lack the associated behaviors that bring these values to life. Leaders frequently list these values as abstract concepts without translating them into specific, demonstrable actions. This disconnect leaves employees unclear about how to embody these values day-to-day. Therefore, it is crucial for leaders to identify and communicate the behaviors that align with their values to ensure that they are not merely slogans, but actionable principles that guide workplace culture.

Intro

2min

Activating Organizational Values

13min

The Perils of Inconsistent Leadership on Organizational Change

3min

Cultivating Culture: Beyond Great Initiatives

17min

Understanding Persistent Employee Anxiety in the Workplace

2min

Aligning Organizational Values with Workplace Practices

4min

On today's episode of "How Leaders Think," host Kenny Lange engages in an in-depth conversation with Delise Simmons, the culture maven behind the Culture Think Tank. They delve into the dynamics of leadership behaviors that cultivate trust, the pivotal role of employee satisfaction, and the profound effect of organizational anxiety on performance. Delise shares critical insights on the importance of aligning company values with actionable behaviors, the challenges in fostering a disciplined culture, and strategies for engaging remote employees. Leaning on experiences from her time with giants like Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways, Delise offers invaluable guidance for leaders striving to shape vibrant, values-driven work environments.

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* Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=

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* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kennylange/podcasts

* Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/

Delise's Resources:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/delise-simmons/
https://www.theculturethinktank.com/

#LeadershipInsights #CultureBuilding #EmployeeEngagement #OrganizationalHealth #TrustInLeadership