THE LAST WORD

Cultures and cults, what’s behind the buzz word?

Wes Boshoff, people strategist and cultureneer, looks at what this means for us and how solid culture impacts our organisations.

By Wes Boshoff, founder of Imagine Thinking

So, let’s ask two questions, first what is culture and is it just a buzzword or is this something we should really be focusing on?

Culture has been defined as a complex, multifaceted concept that shapes our identities, behaviours and interactions with people who are like us. When you think about it, culture is what we believe, what we do, how we do it, and why we do it. It’s a system, a set of standards and values that we have adopted and adapted that make us who we are.

Ok, so is this just a buzzword? No, it’s far from just a buzzword, in fact, it’s extremely important that we make it a focus and not just a nice to-have or a corporate box check.

Groups

Since the beginning of time, we’ve found ourselves in different groups, these groups can be seen as people groups, and includes broad grouping such as race, language, gender, religion, age, and even geolocation. In each of these groups, we find differences and similarities that define and refine groups throughout history. The key to understanding that people groups differ from us as we differ from, is not just in the cognitive understanding, but also in the mature approach to understanding which refers to support. We need to be able to stand under others and lift them up. Now, we might completely disagree with the thinking and behaviour of others, so it requires emotional intelligence and tolerance when we find ourselves faced with the reality that we are totally different from others, and they are different from us. This doesn’t mean that we are required to agree with a practice that doesn’t line up with our beliefs and values, but it does require us to respect and make space for people who are not like us!

Cult

When we look at the word cult, it’s been given a bad reputation, but at its root comes from the Latin term ‘cultus’ which means cultivation, and it is in this word cultivation that lies the key to who we become as a people group, both in and out of an organisation. We need to be cultivators of culture, and not just any culture, but a culture that grows both people and profit… but always people first!

So, what does that mean for us and our people groups… our organisations? The key here is to build a culture ‘before you build a business’. I’m not saying that it’s too late to build a culture if you have already built or are building a business, but what I am suggesting is that, as leadership influencers, we really start making culture development a key area of your brands.

Research

Research has shown us that 63 per cent of companies say that retaining employees is harder than hiring them, 94 per cent of executives and 88 per cent of employees believe that a strong culture is vital to business success and 77 per cent of people consider the company culture before they even apply. In an effective culture, three things happen: people believe, belong, and behave. They believe that what the organisation stands for is worth standing for, that what they say is what they live, and they believe that they have an opportunity to be a part of something that is cause-driven, and that they are there to add value and grow with the organisation. People have a sense of belonging where they can participate in the life of the organisation. Then finally, they behave in such a way that best represents who the people group is, what their values are, and at the same time are ambassadors and custodians of the brand culture.

Each organisation will have a different culture, so I can’t suggest what yours should be, I’ll remind you what an effective culture requires. First and foremost, focus on your people, they are the reason your business exists, and no, it’s not because of your clients, it’s because of your people; without them you have no clients and won’t have a business. Then, follow a set of standards and not rules, rules are designed to box people in while standards are designed to raise people up. Follow your values passionately, and hold them sacred! Equip your people, and give them opportunities to win. Give them a reason to partner with you, and let them build the vision hand in hand with you. Hire them to do what they are great at and not what you’re good at. Oh, and for the love of all things sacred, stop micromanaging. People are people, not robots; they have feelings and futures that we, as leaders, are part of! Cultivate Culture!

For more information

Wes@imaginethinking.co.za or (+27) 082 850 2950.

Who is Wes Boshoff?

Wes Boshoff, founder of Imagine Thinking, is a visionary strategist and Cultureneering expert, transforming organisations through innovative people strategies, leadership development, and facilitated growth. With a passion for unlocking human potential, Wes empowers businesses to thrive through cultural excellence, effective leadership, and sustainable success.