Lean Quote: Culture Is What You Practice, Promote And Permit

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"Culture is what you practice, promote and permit."   —  Tim Kight, Organizational Consultant 

Having a constructive culture is the key to successful organizations.  Culture is reflected in the beliefs we have, the way we behave and the quality of experience, because we were around.

So, I pay attention to Kight’s culture quote.

What you practice:  your team will be the sum total of the things you do.  Not what you say.  What you do. You can pronounce platitudes, but if you don’t do the work, the culture becomes mediocre.

What you promote: you teach the right stuff. Repeatedly.  You draw attention to the right stuff.  You reinforce it.  Focus on it.  You build your culture by constantly promoting the things and activities which achieve the culture you are striving for.

What you permit:  you affirm the people who work to reinforce the culture.  You courageously address those who fall short of the expectations we create.

I like our culture.  I believe it improves each year.  Grateful for all of you who support this improvement by your practices, promotion and reinforcement.