Muscles and Work Culture - Careers in Government

Muscles and Work Culture

S. Chris Edmonds is a sought-after speaker, author, and executive consultant. He’s the founder and CEO of The Purposeful Culture Group, which he launched in 1990. Chris helps senior leaders build and sustain purposeful, positive, productive work cultures. He is the author or co-author of seven books, including Amazon bestsellers Good Comes First (2021) with Mark Babbitt, The Culture Engine (2014), and Leading at a Higher Level (2008) with Ken Blanchard.

Muscles and work culture have a lot in common. For starters, muscles are incredibly powerful. But if they become inflexible, they may tighten to the point of being immovable. In the same way, your work culture must be able to adapt and be flexible.

Beyond becoming immovable, muscles may even adhere to other muscles (for greater inflexibility) which compresses nerves. Over the years, trying to mitigate back and neck pain caused me to hold my neck, shoulders, and back very tightly.

The ultimate result of this was a pinched nerve in my neck. Two surgeries in the last two years helped reduce the pain but my hands still didn’t work right. My neurosurgeon said to find a good chiropractor.

I found Dr. Eric. He’s been working on getting my neck and shoulder and back muscles to let go. He’s working to release those adhesions for greater strength and flexibility. His efforts have made my hands work better!

The thing is – he couldn’t fix my muscles in one visit. It has taken more like 30 visits!

So, Dr. Eric makes changes a little at a time. He’s releasing muscles and retraining muscles. Slowly, the muscles learn to trust the “new normal,” working together rather than binding together.

Changing how your work culture operates requires the same approach.

Systems that made sense in the ‘50s or ’70s or ‘90s may not serve well today. Policies and procedures drafted decades ago may not enable the nimbleness needed for team members to wow your customers now.

Muscles and work culture have a lot in common. For starters, muscles are incredibly powerful.

CHRIS EDMONDS

Leadership beliefs that are embedded in the autocratic, command-and-control Industrial Age do not inspire employees of any generation today.

Many of our organizations and our leaders are stuck– immovable and inflexible– but you don’t have to stay there.

Work steadily and slowly to begin to break down lousy structures and practices and build up respectful and validating practices.
Modify policies and practices that pit people against each other.
Mentor leaders who currently rely on bullying to “inspire” results.

Don’t wait. Begin the subtle refinements that will build clarity, commitment, and cohesion across your organization to sustain a work culture where respect is as important as results.