If you feed it, It will grow!
Taking heed to the atmosphere you nurture
I heard an incredible message shared through storytelling more than a year ago about a man describing to friends how quickly his son was growing. He explained that during his son’s early school years, his height was normal and comparable to his peers. But in the early high school years, the boy seemed to grow overnight, reaching over six feet tall. When the man was asked how his son had grown so tall, he simply replied, “I fed him.”
Throughout my career, I have witnessed dysfunctional organizational practices that erode culture, resulting in high turnover and budget deficits caused by the high cost of mis-hires. Based on stay interviews, exit interviews, voluntary job satisfaction surveys, and employee relations consultations, it is evident that the type of culture organizations desire must begin with that same level of intentional investment. And that investment must be ongoing, not situational.
As an I/O psychologist, it is my responsibility to apply psychological principles to improve human behavior and well-being in the workplace. Conducting research supports the development of resources, training, and advisement on the most effective methods for improving organizational functioning. Ultimately, my mission is to make organizational data transferable and actionable in ways that enhance the employee experience.
Here is the connection: the idea of a positive culture that contributes to organizational success must extend beyond the articulation and visibility of mission, vision, and values — or an approach rooted solely in theory. Culture is a working process. For a strong organizational core to emerge, leaders with integrity must be intentionally hired and developed. Hiring leaders with a transformational philosophy not only ensures they lead by example but also builds trust within the workplace. As a corrective measure, a healthy culture is not dependent on the initial actions of employees, but on the employer. As the father in the story said, his child grew taller because he fed him.
It is the DNA of the organization — and the feeding patterns within it — that determines growth. The greatest influence lies in what you choose to nourish.
The lesson is simple:
What you feed will grow.
