Reflection
I recall sitting in a conference room at Hueston Woods State Park a little over twenty years ago with my executive team. We thought it would be good to get away to maximize our concentration because this was our first swing at strategic planning, and we all knew there were some excellent opportunities for the business on the horizon.
We walked away from that planning session with three key priority issues to be accomplished over the next eighteen to twenty-four months. Of the three priority issues, I will never forget one because it became our game changer. The priority issue was–To build a new culture of excellence.
An organization’s culture is its values and beliefs, as demonstrated through the actual behavior of the organization. An organization’s culture is a spirit, a thread that binds the entire organization. It’s how an organization does things, and how it does things is preceded by the way its people think, which is preceded by its beliefs and core values.
As the 20th century business guru, Peter Drucker, once said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast every day of the week.”
In essence, on that early spring day back in 2000, we all agreed that our behavior needed to change to take the business to the next level, and a behavior change called for a shift in thinking, which, as aforementioned, was driven by our beliefs and values.
Over several months, the team created a new set of values based on the belief that our customers and employees were everything.
Our Core Values…
- To treat others better than we expect to be treated.
- To fulfill the needs of our clients and employees to the best of our abilities
- To exhibit honesty and excellence in all that we do
- Have a safe, challenging, and fun work environment.
Reread the opening quote.
In 2000, at the beginning of our strategic planning session, our executive team did not fervently believe we could execute our strategic plan without creating a new culture. In essence, we agreed that we could have the best plan in the world, but if we didn’t have the appropriate thinking and behavior needed to achieve the plan, that’s where Drucker’s quote would ring true.
Why do people fail at keeping their New Year’s resolutions?
It’s the thinking stupid.
If you expect positive results, you cannot use the same thinking that has generated negative results in the past.
How is your thinking? Will it create the behavior needed to help you achieve your Big Imagination Goals for 2024?
If not, maybe you must look at your beliefs about the world and yourself.
Read through my P.E.A.C.E. description below and focus on the Attitude section.
Your thinking creates your attitude, and your attitude always determines your altitude. (Zig Ziglar)
Whether you think you can or can’t–you’re right. (Henry Ford)
Where our thoughts go–so do our actions.
Change your thinking, and you change your life.
BTW, we built quite a compelling culture at HealthCare Pharmacy and as a result, grew our business and our people exponentially over the next several years.
Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”Â
Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”Â
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
P.E.A.C.E. for Being More in 2024…
P – (Plan) A dream remains a dream until it is written down. Putting your dream in writing is the first step in creating a PLAN to achieve it.
E – (Effort) Turning your dream into reality requires putting forth consistent and focused EFFORT toward executing your plan.
A – (Attitude) If you think you can achieve your dream, you will. Your ATTITUDE always determines your altitude in life.
C – (Community) Nothing great in life happens by doing it alone. The chances of realizing your dream expand as your COMMUNITY of positive mentors and peers expand.
E – (Energy) Chasing and attaining your dream requires optimal mental, physical, and spiritual levels of ENERGY. Take care of yourself!
