Protect it like a kiewiet
Protect it like a kiewiet
I have never come across a more tenacious and protective little bird than a kiewiet. I often go for runs where these birds nest. If you have not encountered a kiewiet before, know this: step within a certain radius of their nest and they will dive-bomb you while making the most piercing, relentless noise. It is most comical watching my kids walk the dogs and see them duck and weave as these determined birds defend their ground.
Because we work with leaders and organisations to help them build cultures that people want to be a part of, this behaviour stays with me. Too often we watch organisations and leaders let small things slide – things that quietly erode culture. Then they look around and ask, “How did we get here?”
Culture sounds abstract, but at its essence it is simple: It is what we do and what we don’t do. It is the behaviour we reward, the standards we uphold, and the things we allow to pass. It is the personality of the organisation. Leaders play a very important part in setting the tone. Although everybody in an organisation is responsible for creating the culture, the leaders especially need to show up like kiewiets – alert and consistent protectors of what matters most.
Too often we create subcultures that work against the culture we say we want. We overlook small breaches because we prefer comfort to conflict. We choose ease over consistency.
A kiewiet does the opposite. The moment something approaches its nest, it responds. It does not wait to see if the threat is serious. It does not hope the intrusion will resolve itself. It makes its boundary unmistakable.
We need the same posture with culture. A company’s values should function as a clear perimeter that is not allowed to be wilfully crossed. When someone crosses it, we should respond. When the crossing continues, we should respond more firmly. In plain terms, we must communicate that:
- We see what you are doing.
- We care about this place and what we have built.
- We will protect it from anyone who wants to hurt it.
Whether you are a leader with a title or not, ask yourself the following questions. They apply at work, home, and in the communities you form part of:
- How clear are your values and boundaries?
- How consistently and ferociously do we enforce and protect them?
- Are you willing to defend them when it costs you comfort?
Most organisational cultures we come across are quite accidental – they were formed by default. The best cultures are created by being very deliberate about cultivating the way of life you want to see – the type that brings out the best in everyone involved. If you need help shaping the culture of your team or organisation, we would love to help you find your way.
As always, thank you for reading. We always appreciate your time and attention.
Apparently, this weekend the Airlink planes won’t be flying low over Soccer City like a kiewiet protecting its nest. Still, we hope that the Springboks will get the job done against the All Blacks.
If you would like help with establishing or strengthen your values, get in touch. You can reach us at info@purposeworks.co.za.
At PurposeWorks we are all about Making You and Your Work Rock. Our focus is on Organisational Health and Design, Employee Centered Culture, Leadership Development and Performance Coaching. For more information on how we can help you create a work environment that rocks, develop a great team, become an inspiring leader or unlock your personal excellence talk to us at info@purposeworks.co.za.
