THE POWER OF RITUALS IN BUILDING A HIGH-PERFORMANCE, SCALABLE ORGANIZATION

Abstract

The author built two successful companies of his own, and has many years of experience as an organizational advisor. He says that organizations can “cultivate the most valuable habits” that “drive a sustainable and high-performing culture.” This can be achieved through rituals, described as “specific, repeatable practices that help organizations develop the behaviors and skills needed to sustain high performance without succumbing to friction.” He describes rituals at five key levels, which in his words are: (1) informal interactions among peers, (2) interactions between line managers and their subordinates, (3) team interactions, (4) cross-functional interactions, (5) interactions between company leadership and the staff at large. He particularly recommends “six high-impact rituals that lay the foundation needed for trust, collaboration, and performance across your organization. Prioritizing these rituals can transform your organization into a high-performing powerhouse.” These are, in his words (1) Share Your Personal User Guide (PUG), (2) Turning Tensions into Trust, (3) Deep-Dive Meetings, (4) Set Up Cross-Functional Work for Success, (5) Become a Two-Eyed Leader, (6) Run an Information Marketplace. In addition, he notes that “leaders must regularly assess the effectiveness of their rituals and be willing to make changes as necessary.”