Boost Productivity with a Human-Centered Culture

by David Dye | Sep 6, 2024 | Podcast | boost productivity company culture transparency

Episode 270: In this episode of Leadership Without Losing Your Soul podcast with David Dye, Chris Dyer is joining us to discuss how improving your company culture can also boost productivity. A great place to start? Pinpoint the pillar that’s most lacking in your organization. Is it transparency, positivity, measurement, acknowledgment, uniqueness, listening, or how you handle mistakes? Once you’ve identified the gap, it’s time to take action.

Say transparency is the issue—how can you boost communication and ensure information flows more freely? Or, if listening is the weak spot, think about creating opportunities for open and honest dialogue. Maybe it’s as simple as hosting weekly question sessions or opening up new feedback channels. By focusing on that one key pillar, you’ll start to see real, practical changes in your culture. And trust us, it’s worth it.

Boost Productivity Through Respect and Transparency

00:00 – Treat Your People Like Equals
Chris Dyer opens the episode by stressing the importance of treating your people as equals. Talk to your team as if they are at your level, and you’ll be surprised by how much better they perform. This simple shift in communication can instantly boost productivity and team morale.

00:31 – Improving Culture to Boost Productivity and Profits
David Dye introduces Chris Dyer, a culture expert whose companies have been named “Best Place to Work” and “Fastest Growing.” They discuss how building a strong culture doesn’t just make employees happier, but also improves productivity, performance, and profits—a win-win for everyone.

02:09 – Chris’s First Leadership Experience
Chris shares a funny childhood memory of kindergarten, organizing a group to take over the playground. Even back then, he learned a key leadership lesson—getting others to align with your vision can lead to powerful results, a concept that’s essential to boost productivity in any workplace.

04:39 – What is Culture?
Chris breaks down the basics: Culture is how things get done, both seen and unseen. Whether it’s how mistakes are handled or how decisions are made, culture defines the behaviors that drive productivity and success. He emphasizes that improving culture isn’t a vague concept—it’s a science that leaders can apply to boost productivity.

Fostering Communication and Positive Work Environments

06:33 – The Smallest Unit of Culture
Even in a small team of just five to seven people, culture is already at work. Chris explains that culture can start with just one person, but it’s in groups where it truly forms and impacts results. In any team, the way people communicate and collaborate sets the tone for productivity.

08:40 – The Power of Transparency to Boost Productivity
Chris dives into the first pillar of culture: transparency. When leaders share more information—like company goals and financials—it turns the lights on, allowing employees to contribute better ideas and solutions. This not only builds trust but directly boosts productivity as people feel more connected to the mission.

11:23 – How To Increase Transparency
David and Chris discuss practical ways to increase transparency, like asking teams what information they wish they had or sharing goals openly. When team members know each other’s objectives, it creates alignment and collaboration, which boosts productivity and helps avoid conflicts.

16:57 – Overcoming the Fear of Transparency
Leaders often hesitate to be fully transparent, fearing they’ll look imperfect. Chris counters this by sharing that the best leaders are those who are open, admit mistakes, and show their human side. This honesty creates a culture where teams feel safe to innovate, ultimately boosting productivity.

Driving Results Through Recognition and Learning From Mistakes

25:07 – Measurement and Acknowledgement
Chris introduces two more pillars—measurement and acknowledgement. By measuring what matters, whether it’s sales targets or team collaboration, you can focus on the behaviors that drive success. And by acknowledging achievements, you reinforce positive behavior, further boosting productivity.

49:04 – Handling Mistakes to Boost Innovation and Productivity
Mistakes are part of growth. Chris differentiates between errors (due to lack of training or exhaustion) and genuine mistakes (trying something new that doesn’t work out). When leaders celebrate the lessons learned from mistakes, it fosters a culture of innovation, which leads to greater productivity in the long run.