Culture Built on Trust
I worked at a company where everyone was nice. It was the worst.
While the idea of working at a company filled with genuinely nice people may seem like a utopian scenario, there were downsides.
Lack of honest feedback: Constructive criticism is crucial for professional development. I really missed out on valuable opportunities to learn and develop because my colleagues were too polite to point out areas for development.
The dreaded meeting after the meeting: People were afraid to voice dissenting views in group meetings, so they would air their concerns in a private meeting with the team leader creating unnecessary mistrust and anxiety. Patrick Lencioni identified “conflict avoidance” as one of the five attributes of a dysfunctional team.
No innovation: Innovation thrives on diverse perspectives and healthy debates. If everyone is too polite to question the status quo, it leads to “same ‘ol, same ‘ol” ideas and an uninspiring work environment.
Instead of a “nice culture,” let’s aim to create a culture built on trust where we can speak freely, and honestly with the intention to bring out the best in each other. This creates a truly productive and innovative work environment.
