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Culture is a bit like the wind. You can’t see it or define it physically, but you certainly can feel and see its impact. Wind can be a cooling breeze or a roaring tornado, depending on how it is affected by internal and external forces.

You can see the impact of culture in many settings.

You can see its impact across a sports team, for example.

There is the team that has high energy and solid focus. The players work together as one, having spent countless hours practicing and striving to improve both themselves and the team as a whole. As challenges ensue, they turn to those who are best equipped for the play at hand. It is not all about one person or that person’s ego; it is about each person playing a critical role on a team. There is a respect and camaraderie that is palpable.

Contrast that with the team that comes onto the field with lower energy and distracted focus. They may have one or two strong players who dominate, while the others appear disengaged. Leaders do not invest in a strong playbook and make wrong calls, and the team responds with apathy and confusion. Mistakes result in blame and criticism rather than support and help in re-centering.

Which team has a winning culture?

Clearly, it is the first one.

How do you know?

Look for some of the key words: together, striving to improve, respect, camaraderie, high energy, solid focus, working together as one. This team faces challenges together. They improve themselves to improve the entire team.

The second team operates in a much more disconnected manner. Instead of teamwork, there are players seeking individual recognition, while others are merely showing up, and often, with discontent and disrespect.

Now, let’s take this to the workplace.

You go to a restaurant to pick up a quick meal.

In the first restaurant, you are greeted with a smile and a request for your order. Once you convey the order, the team begins to fulfill it. They are efficient and move quickly, like a right hand and left hand working as one. If one person finishes first, another jumps in to give a hand to finish the order. You are presented with your order and a departing smile, along with a “thank you.” As you leave the restaurant, you notice how it is clean and in good order. And you walk away, having had a good experience.

Contrast that to the second restaurant. You can’t help but notice the overflowing trash cans near the entrance and the dirty floor. You go to the counter and are met with silence. The person taking orders barely looks up from their phone, then finally resigns themselves to taking your order. You place the order and must repeat several items because they were not paying close attention. Then you wait…and wait. The service staff is chaotic, often crossing paths, coming close to colliding. You sense they do not enjoy their work or like each other. Finally, your order is pushed out to you, and you leave. As you get in your car, you notice the order is incorrect. But rather than go through that ordeal again, you just decide to drive away.

Which business has a winning culture?

In this case, it is easy. Which restaurant would you visit again?

Key words for a winning culture in business include greeting customers, clients, and co-workers with a smile. Efficiency is another one. Systems, order, attention to detail, cleanliness, and customer appreciation are others. Team members who can lead themselves and help others are strong cultural indicators.

Now, let’s bring it home.

Not much is said about culture in the home, but each home does have a unique culture. Some are loud and lively. Some are quiet and comfortable. But each home has a culture that matters to those who live there.

A child can grow up in a home that nurtures them while also equipping them for life, a home where there are good measures of truth and grace. It is a home where each person has responsibilities, but where there are also laughter and love.

A child can also grow up in a home where each day it is like walking on eggshells, where safety and security are always in question. It may be a chaotic, disorderly, and unkempt home. And the children are left, essentially, to raise themselves.

Which home has a winning culture?

Clearly, it is the home that results in a child who is secure, confident, and equipped for life.

Key indicators are safety, security, trust, solid foundational values, shared responsibilities, and fun.

As a leader, you get to steer this wind of culture in your home, community, organization, and across your team. You can steer it like a welcome breeze on a hot summer day; or you can drive it like a tornado, ripping apart lives and livelihoods in your path.

What culture will you decide to create?

For valuable resources on Leadership Strengths and Tools, click here.

Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after executive coach, mentor, consultant, and speaker worldwide. Deb is well versed in business operations and in the importance of asking key questions most business leaders won’t ask themselves. She brings deep experience in leadership development, strategy, high performance team building and effective communication. She has a passion for leading people to discover and maximize their strengths as well as those of fellow team members, while offering advanced strategies to achieve high performance. Deb is the perfect fit if you’re ready to take your leadership and impact to the next level!