Culturefy, Inc.’s Post

On this Mindful Monday, as we step into the vibrant embrace of Lundi Gras, let's draw inspiration from the heart of New Orleans. Mardi Gras, more than a festival of colors, music, and dance, unfolds profound lessons for leaders aiming to cultivate environments where everyone feels they belong. Here are three insights that stand as pillars for fostering ecosystems of belonging, inspired by the soulful streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras. 1. Embrace Diversity Like a Mardi Gras Parade The eclectic mix of floats, costumes, and music at Mardi Gras is a masterclass in diversity. Each element, unique in its expression, contributes to the overall tapestry of the celebration. Leadership Lesson: In our teams, embracing diversity means valuing each individual's uniqueness. It's about creating spaces where differences are not just tolerated but celebrated, where every team member can show up as their authentic self and know they are an integral part of the whole. 2. Foster Inclusivity Through Collective Celebration Mardi Gras is inclusive; everyone is invited to join the dance, the parade, the joy. There's a shared sense of community that transcends backgrounds. Leadership Lesson: Building a sense of belonging requires more than open doors. It demands active efforts to ensure everyone feels welcomed, heard, and valued. It's about crafting moments of collective celebration and achievement that reinforce the idea: "We are in this together." 3. Lead with an Open Heart and Open Mind The spirit of Mardi Gras is one of openness, where the streets become a place of shared humanity. Leadership Lesson. Leadership is as much about listening and learning as it is about guiding. It involves leading with empathy, being open to new perspectives, and being willing to adapt. By leading with an open heart and mind, you create an environment where trust flourishes and true belonging is nurtured. As leaders, let's take these lessons to heart. Let's build ecosystems where diversity is the melody, inclusivity the harmony, and open-hearted leadership the rhythm. Together, we can create spaces where every individual feels they belong, inspired by the joyous, inclusive spirit of Mardi Gras. #MindfulMonday #LeadershipLessons #DiversityAndInclusion #MardiGrasMagic #EcosystemsOfBelonging #authenticleadership #neworleans

Cultural diversity at the workplace allows you to bring new ways of thinking into your organisation and increases creativity. Added bonus: At the end of a long seminar day, there may be a colleague who has learned the art of baking traditional Neapolitan pizza 🍕 from an early age and is willing to share a few secrets. #CulturalDiversity #Diversity #Creativity

🤔 ALEX: "Brian, do you see that guy over there? What's with the gear in this restaurant?" 😬 BRIAN: "Yeah, it's a bit unusual. Makes me feel a bit uncomfortable." 🔋 In my TEDxTalk, I emphasized the importance of restoring our energy by fostering positivity and understanding in every interaction. 💡 We often allow snap judgments based on appearance to cloud our perception of others' abilities and potential. 🛑Let's challenge ourselves to manage our biases by consciously seeking out the good in others, regardless of their attire or outward appearance. 🌅 Imagine a world where we prioritize empathy and understanding over preconceived notions, allowing everyone to shine based on their talents and contributions. 📣 Let's commit to practicing bias management and embracing diversity in all its forms, creating a more inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Together, we can make a difference! 💪 #BeBrownBrave #RestoreEnergy #BiasManagement #DiversityandInclusion 🌟🌍

Read more about our newest concept, NDA and our Spring opening in Culture Map

I had dinner last night with the team at Dans le Noir ? Dining in the Dark restaurants 😎 If you don’t know it, it’s a restaurant where darkness becomes your dining companion. And when I say dark, the room was pitch dark! You don’t see a thing: the people you're eating with, what you're eating, where you're sitting ... you get it. So you develop other ways of experiencing dinner. 🤔 Once I got over the discomfort of eating without seeing my plate, pouring that glass of wine and hoping I won't make a mess, and touching hands with my colleagues to pass the bread basket, the experience opened a window into a profound reflection. Clarisse, our waiter who had lost her sight, illuminated our evening with her skillful navigation and warm hospitality. It prompted me to ponder how often we truly know the people around us. Life's assumptions and preconceptions are shattered in the dark, much like our dependence on visual cues. The experience echoed the importance of understanding the challenges others face, stepping into their shoes, and appreciating the struggles they've embraced. Drawing parallels to the corporate world, I reflected on how employers and managers might fall into the same trap of assumptions. Perceptions of how strategies are perceived or roles understood can be colored by our own biases. If we genuinely want to understand our employees, it requires more than a fleeting moment of observation. We must immerse ourselves in their experiences to grasp the depth of their journey. As leaders, the challenge is to scale this understanding across a larger population. One powerful way is through emotion-based surveys that unveil insightful feedback about employee struggles, perceptions of company strategy, their roles, and expectations. By delving into the emotional landscape, we can bridge the gap between assumptions and reality, fostering a workplace where understanding reigns. #leadershipinsights #employeeexperience #empathyinleadership #workplaceculture #employeesurveys opensquare 🌟

Here's a straight-up truth: You are a reflection of the company you keep. Sure, money talks, but let's speak a different language for a moment. Building a powerhouse team isn't solely about dollar signs; it's about shared values, trust, and crafting an infectious culture. Remember, great teams don't just happen; they're nurtured through trust and authenticity. Don't underestimate your team for seeing through facades – authenticity always shines through. 🤝 Join me on this journey as we compose a winning culture that resonates for miles in your restaurant! #Success #TeamworkMakes #RelationshipMatters

My favorite book on workplace culture ? A kids book: Mr Bunny's chocolate factory. Actually offered by my stepbrother Sebastien Aeby to my kids years before I started working for Great Place to Work Suisse. My favorite sentence of the book : "I see, you are all important, not just me" Said by the CEO Mr Bunny, after the chickens went on strike and he finally realizes the value of his workforce: After the strike and the nearly destruction of the fabric (because, as an amateur, he had let the temperature rise too high in the system), he changes his leadership style. He starts listening to ideas and suggestions from the chickens, he considers their needs and let them adapt the work environnement (healthy food, sport's and rest rooms, etc). They all sit around regularly at a table and talk about innovation. They take responsibility for the projects that matter the most to them. And profit starts to kick in. This is not only in children's book or fairy tales. It happens it the real world when your workforce is engaged. This is what we've been studying and observation for the last 30 years. And it all starts with trust, just like when Mr Bunny realized how every chicken is important and an essential piece of success. https://lnkd.in/gUVmnVQH

I love the brilliant and profound insight here!! Real, Relatable, Relevant, and Revelatory Kudos to The Martin Agency 👏 for bringing this to launch ‘All Flavours Welcome’ a new platform that celebrates cultural differences and diversity in food by a classic choice in Canadian lunchboxes, Ritz Crackers. Just watch it! #insight #culturalinsight #marketing #brandstrategy

?? Kindness is negatively associated with a feminine leadership approach?? Wrong! This is the cornerstone of building high trust companies with an engaged and strong workforce. Dr Hayden Cheng, alumni of University of Toronto Rotman’s School of Management, authored a book on this topic specifically - “The Return on Kindness: How Kind Leadership Wins Talent, Earns Loyalty, and Builds Successful Companies”. This I believe is one of those ‘go-to’ books on your bookshelf!

Nothing brings people together like food does. So why not celebrate diversity and inclusion with an event that everyone can enjoy? International Food Day is one of the best events in my Culture Calendar. It's simple; just ask your team to bring in a dish (homemade or bought) with cultural significance to them & share it with the team. Since being introduced to this event, I have celebrated in every role I've had and it is always the most successful. This event is a great way to showcase the unique and diverse backgrounds of your team members. It allows everyone to share a part of their culture and learn about others in a fun and engaging way. Plus, who doesn't love trying new foods? So get your team together and celebrate the diversity that makes us all so great. The hardest thing about this event is knowing when to stop eating🤐. #culture #employeeexperience #diversityandinclusion #internationalfoodday