In the latest HCI Webinar, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Jeff Eschliman about the secret to building great company culture. Below is a summary of the main points from their conversation! Check out the full episode and let us know what you think!
Watch the episode here:
Quick Recap
Jonathan and Jeff discussed the importance of building a positive company culture, emphasizing the need for intentional hiring, equipping employees with necessary tools, and holding them accountable for results. They also highlighted the significance of effective onboarding, team member engagement, and regular one-on-one interactions in managing teams. The conversation ended with Jeff sharing his preferred approach to coaching behaviors and offering support to team members.
Building Positive Company Culture
Jonathan and Jeff discussed the importance of building a positive company culture. Jeff, an executive coach with 30 years of experience, emphasized the need for intentional hiring, equipping employees with necessary tools, and holding them accountable for results. He also stressed the importance of leadership development and genuine relationships with people. Jonathan agreed, noting that these principles are often overlooked in favor of more complex models. They agreed to focus on these core pillars to drive success in their teams.
Hiring for Culture and Success
Jeff, a retired home builder and executive coach, discussed the importance of hiring the right people and creating a strong culture within an organization. He emphasized that financial success alone does not guarantee ultimate success, and that a business should be able to run without its founder or CEO. Jeff highlighted the importance of having a clear job description and hiring based on core values, rather than just skills and experience. Jonathan agreed, stressing the need for a proactive approach to building a positive culture and the importance of aligning values and goals. Jeff then transitioned to the topic of equipping the team with the resources they need to be successful, starting with the interview process.
Effective Onboarding for New Hires
Jeff and Jonathan discussed the importance of effective onboarding for new team members. Jeff emphasized the need for a structured onboarding process, including a 90-day plan, and suggested assigning an onboarding buddy to help new hires navigate the organization. Jonathan agreed, highlighting the missed opportunities many organizations have in onboarding and the importance of creating a positive first impression. They both agreed that onboarding should start from the job posting stage and continue through the first days and weeks, reinforcing the organization's values and culture.
Team Engagement and Communication Importance
Jeff discussed the importance of team member engagement in creating a successful culture within an organization. He differentiated between employee satisfaction and engagement, emphasizing that engagement is the Holy Grail, where team members are invested in the organization's mission and vision. Jeff stressed the need for effective communication at both individual and organizational levels, including regular one-on-one meetings. He suggested that the frequency of these meetings could vary, but they should be intentional. Jonathan agreed with Jeff's points.
Managing Teams Through Regular Interactions
Jeff and Jonathan discussed the importance of regular one-on-one interactions in managing teams. Jeff emphasized the need to coach behaviors rather than just performance metrics, and the value of building a rapport and trust with team members. Jonathan agreed, suggesting that more frequent meetings could be beneficial, but also acknowledged the need for flexibility depending on the organization and team. Jeff shared his preferred approach of a three-step process: discussing performance, offering support, and providing feedback. They ended the conversation by encouraging the audience to connect with Jeff for further assistance.
Listen to the webinar here:
