Integrated teams, functioning in a culture of accountability, are the performance driver of choice in today’s high performing organizations. Research has demonstrated the superiority of group decision making over that of even the most single, talented individual. There is one obvious exception to this rule: when a team is conflicted or dispirited, decision making takes a dramatic turn for the worse. Most often this conflict occurs at a time of crisis when the imperatives of communication, cooperation, and integrated teamwork are most necessary in deriving the optimal outcome.
The key to peak performance is maintaining mission focus – fulfilling the purpose for why the organization exists. Without the dynamic combination of highly effective relationships, deep and broad continuing education, a culture of accountability, innovative and purposeful application of technology and the commitment to performance excellence, your organization is destined to equilibrium of performance mediocrity.
As we collectively conform individual behaviours to an interdependent culture of accountability we will drive performance to the highest levels. Organizations entrenched in a status quo, top/down driven hierarchy and its inherent lack of highly developed interpersonal relationships can no longer compete with organizations operating in collaborative cultures of multi-directional communication pathways, decentralized command and control operational structures, and integrated multifunctional teams.
The need for creating this culture shift is self-evident. We have spent countless hours and dollars on other methods, programs, and systems to improve safety, quality, and service, with marginal improvements. The talent, personality, behaviour/social style, position of authority, and single track expertise of one individual are no longer sufficient to drive high levels of performance. The technical burden and knowledge requirements of today’s workplace environment exceed the capacity of any one highly intelligent, driven, individual, to succeed and achieve alone. Bringing people together in a cohesive, cooperative and collaborative culture is the only way to performance excellence in today’s world.
CORPORATE HARMONY is grateful to Dr. Michael E. Frisina for his contributions to this entry.
Catherine is the President and CEO of CORPORATE HARMONY, providing virtual solutions for leadership development and organizational culture change. Her leadership and coaching experience as a Project Manager in an ever-changing, fast moving technological organization with unrelenting demands drove her to the realization that a positive mindset and strength-building behaviors are essential for today’s complex and chaotic organizational systems. CORPORATE HARMONY’s virtual platform of programs, coaching and performance measurement, is an innovative online technology of tested proprietary content. The world-class content of CORPORATE HARMONY’s Positive Presence Program develops the skill of ‘Positive Presence’ and the necessary ‘Positive Presence Behaviour Competencies’ for maintaining a positive and energized mindset and increased performance in today’s complex work environment, and leading to a culture of collaboration and connection. Catherine’s vision for Corporate Harmony is to bring the skill of “Positive Presence” to the corporate world as it becomes more complex, ambiguous and chaotic. Catherine is uniquely positioned to impact organizations’ productivity and long term success, with her powerful vision of eliminating bad stress from every workplace around the globe, bringing purpose into the people equation to promote healthy, productive and meaningful work cultures and turn the tide on the neglect of mental health on a global scale. Catherine is author of the book: “CORPORATE HARMONY – The Performance Link for Today’s Modern Organization” Catherine can be reached at: Catherine.Osborne@corporateharmony.ca or go to ‘contact us’ on our website www.corporateharmony.ca. Catherine is available for consultation, and can be reached by 519-695-3407.