How can two words that start out the same way end up so differently?  The same question can be asked of two businesses.  I had a recent conversation with a close friend about building a “Team of Teams”, borrowing the term from the outstanding book of the same name by General Stanley McCrystal.  My friend summarized the essence of what that means in action with this nugget of wisdom: “Great cultures pollinate; toxic ones pollute.”

Think about the power of that statement for a moment….

Great cultures begin with a conscious decision regarding those with whom we choose to associate.  You eventually become like The Company You Keep.  When we choose well, according to a clear set of guiding principles, we create an attractive environment for people to flourish.  And, when people flourish, their positive energy spreads and attracts others.  

Great cultures pollinate…

Sadly, not all cultures are healthy.  Some are built around control, manipulation, or even darker purposes.  Occasionally, good people find themselves in a negative situation that’s different than what they expected upon arrival, but they stay anyway.  The longer they stay, the more ‘normal’ the negative environment seems.  Consequently, such cultures can also spread, at least for a time; misery loves company.

Toxic cultures pollute…

Human nature embodies both good and bad, opposing forces in constant conflict.  People reflect their cultures and their cultures reflect them.  Does your culture pollinate?

Tempus Maximize!