Episode 296 - Andy Crouch, Patrick Lencioni, and Mary Miller Talk Practical Steps for Improving Company Culture
May 28, 2024
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Andy Crouch, Patrick Lencioni, and Mary Miller discuss creating a positive workplace culture for entrepreneurs. Topics include heart change, practical tools like 'the Working Genius,' and examples of improving company culture for employee satisfaction and retention.
Entrepreneurs must prioritize creating a workplace that supports good work and rest for employees.
Utilizing the 'Working Genius' model can help entrepreneurs identify and leverage employees' strengths for improved productivity.
Deep dives
The Role of Entrepreneurs in Creating Good Work and Good Rest
As entrepreneurs, the responsibility lies in creating a workplace that fosters both good work and good rest for employees. This concept stems from the belief that work is deeply interconnected with rest, mirroring the narrative of Genesis where work preceded rest. The episode contrasts this ideal with the prevalent reality of toil and leisure, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling work that leads to meaningful rest.
Understanding and Utilizing the Working Genius Model
The episode delves into the 'Working Genius' model introduced by Patrick Lencioni, which identifies six types of working geniuses - wonder, invention, discernment, galvanizing, enablement, and tenacity. By recognizing these innate talents in individuals, entrepreneurs can strategically assign tasks and roles according to employees' strengths, leading to improved productivity and job satisfaction.
Transforming Company Culture Through Employee Care
Mary Miller's story exemplifies how a focus on employee well-being and genuine care can profoundly impact company culture. By addressing transportation issues faced by employees, Jan Coa not only attracted and retained workers more effectively but also humanized their approach to workforce management. Initiatives such as health insurance and a 401k plan further demonstrate a commitment to enhancing employees' quality of life.
Cultivating a Holistic Approach to Culture Building in Entrepreneurship
The episode concludes by highlighting the holistic approach needed to change company cultures, encompassing heart, head, and hands perspectives. By actively engaging with employees' aspirations, leveraging their inherent talents, and prioritizing their well-being, entrepreneurs can create supportive environments where individuals thrive, contributing to a more positive and sustainable organizational culture.
Entrepreneurs have the ability to create a workplace where people can flourish, but we have to act on that ability in order to make that happen.
So in this masterclass-style episode, we're going to dive in a little deeper on this topic.
The episode is organized in three parts, heart, head, and hands.
Author Andy Crouch will kick us off by talking about the responsibility and opportunity entrepreneurs have to create good work and good rest for their employees. This section is all about heart change.
Then, Patrick Lencioni is going to talk to our heads a little bit as he unpacks a practical tool called "the Working Genius" that enables us to know our employee's strengths so we can put them in positions to succeed.
Lastly, we're going to dig into the details. As we hear from Mary Miller, an entrepreneur and the chairwoman of the board at John cower, a leading janitorial service company based in Cincinnati. Mary gives practical examples for how they drastically overhauled their company culture to improve employee retention and satisfaction.