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Build a Growth Culture

May 16, 2001

"Firms have cultures or identities.  Leaders focused on growth may build a growth culture, or identity using the following strategies:

* Emphasize the future, not the past.
* Emphasize the possibilities, not the constraints.
* Reach customers outside through the employees inside.
* Encourage risk taking and discourage political protecting.
* Reward collective, not individual successes, but maintain clear individual accountabilities and keep heroes visible.
* Look for alternatives before seeking closure.
* Ensure a high level of personal freedom and trust.
* Encourage debate before consensus.

Leaders who build growth cultures establish an environment favorable to risk taking and pushback, and environment in which employees do not feel afraid to raise alternative ideas and propose new ways of doing things (Ulrich, Zenger & Smallwood, 1999, p.149)."

Reference:  Ulrich, D.; Zenger, J.; & Smallwood, W.N.; (1999).  Results-based leadership.  Boston:  Harvard School Press

Are you building a growth culture in your organization?

Results-based Leadership is available on loan from the OSU Leadership Center.  A complete listing of all the Leadership Center's resources is available on our website http://leadershipcenter.osu.edu/

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Created: 2009-01-02, Updated: 2009-01-15