How to Communicate Company Vision to Teams

Office snacks are not the key to building a culture that people want to be a part of. Okay - MAYBE it will help if you get as much Celsius as we do every month😂 But seriously… the snacks, the happy hours, the espresso machines, or pizza parties are probably not what you need more of. Here’s some practical things you can do to build a culture that people want to be a part of: 1️⃣ Over communicate your vision, mission, & values. Even if there is clarity & alignment on this (rare) with execs, it usually dies somewhere in the middle of the org. ▪️Have these 3 things clearly displayed on your website & office for all to see. For the love… don’t stop there though👆 ▪️Consider having “Vision, mission, values days” We do these quarterly. Our founder reminds us of our why and shares how we have specifically fulfilled that why over the last quarter. We affirm each other based on how we have lived out our values as well🥲 What gets celebrated gets reproduced. ▪️Make sure your middle management understands AND can teach the VMV… otherwise, most of the org won’t buy in. 2️⃣ Put your people into B teams. Small groups that talk about Body, Being, Balance, & Business. Before all of my HR friends come after me… This is OPTIONAL. This isn’t “share your darkest secret time.” That’s for your A team outside of work (we all need one of those). It’s a time to connect with co workers who are in similar stages of life & talk about your goals. We meet each VMV day, 1 time a quarter for breakfast, and once a month after our Monday morning meetings. 3️⃣ Dream sessions Before I explain these… stop reading if everyone in your org isn’t in a regular 1 on 1 meeting with their manager❗️ (As a side note) consider having skip level 1 on 1s too. I meet with my manager once a week and my manager’s manager every other week. Back to DREAM SESSIONS👇 This is NOT an end of year or mid year review. This is a chance to meet with your manager and their manager to discuss your dreams. Here’s a few questions that we go over: “Where do you hope to be in 1 year from now?” “What about 3 years from now?” “What’s 1 thing about your job that you don’t like but that you know will always be there?” “What’s one thing that we can change to make it easier for you?” “Is there an area that you feel particularly skilled or passionate about that we are not currently utilizing you for?” —————————————————————— If you focus on the things above (or things that make your people feel valued)… The snacks, the happy hours, the espresso machines, & pizza parties will be icing on a cake with a great foundation🎂 If you just do pizza parties and snacks… it’s like spraying whipped cream on a moldy slice of bread. #culture #organizationalhealth #hr #values

This week’s leadership tip is visualizing your Strategic Plan, sometimes called “Line of Sight,” a transformative method that has been instrumental in driving our company's culture. After we’re done with strategic planning, we visualize our annual plan (Goals and Strategies) through “Line of Sight.” As seen throughout our corporate offices, showrooms and warehouses, all over the walls, discussed in our meetings, near our KPI boards, etc.   At CITY Furniture, it's crucial that we not only have a clear vision for the future (this comes directly from strategic planning week) but also a structured approach to achieving it. That's where "Line of Sight" comes into play. In Lean Thinking, Line of Sight is the process of creating a clear and direct connection between an organization's strategic objectives and the daily work of its associates. This ensures that associates at all levels can see how their daily tasks contribute to the organization's overall success. It’s also a good reminder of what the company is trying to accomplish, what success looks like for the year, and the steps needed to get there. We monitor progress, celebrate wins, and learn from setbacks. Through this alignment, the company can focus efforts on what matters most, improve communication and collaboration, and drive continuous improvement.    We’re far from perfect but this is an important concept we try to live by throughout our entire organization. Why? Because when everyone understands their role in our shared vision, incredible things happen, such as:    🎯 Improved Communication: With the Line of Sight, communication flows seamlessly across all levels of the organization. Everyone knows the game plan, and they know how their contribution matters. That means fewer misunderstandings, a stronger sense of purpose and of course better alignment.   💡 Innovation and Problem-Solving: When associates see the bigger picture, they're more likely to spot opportunities for improvement and tackle challenges head-on that help us hit our annual goals.   🤝 Cross-Functional Collaboration: Teams across different departments collaborate more effectively because they understand how their work interconnects. This cross-functional synergy is a game-changer.   🌐 Growth & Expansion: As we continue to grow, Hoshin Planning ensures that all of our teams are all pulling in the same direction. Our corporate culture and strategic objectives remain consistent, regardless of where we operate.   There are many benefits to implementing Hoshin Planning Line of Sight because it's not just a tool; it's a mindset shift that can propel company growth, improve company culture, and encourage continuous improvement. Again, we’re far from perfect at it but I like how we are improving as a team. Proud of my CITY Family and working towards living this method. Hope this helps. 😊🎯 🚀 🔄 📈🌐  #HoshinPlanning #cityleads #LineOfSight #StrategicVision #Leadership #ContinuousImprovement #leanmanagement

In my conversations with leaders across various industries, a recurring theme has emerged: A sense of frustration with their teams not fully grasping the "why" behind the corporate vision. It's a challenge that many leaders face – the struggle to bridge the gap between articulating the company's goals and ensuring the team comprehends the underlying reasons driving those objectives. One of the major issues I found is overemphasis on What, Not Why: CEOs may inadvertently focus too much on the "what" (objectives, goals) without adequately emphasizing the "why" (purpose, mission). Team members are more likely to rally behind a vision when they understand the greater purpose it serves. To overcome these challenges, it's crucial for leaders to prioritize transparent and effective communication, provide context, ensure alignment of values, engage with their teams, and consistently emphasize the importance of the company's mission. By addressing these factors, leaders can foster a more connected and motivated workforce, empowering their teams to not only understand but also passionately embrace and contribute to the realization of the corporate vision. #vision #leadership #mission #teambuilding