“True leadership has consistently been founded on strong character. A leader’s integrity, honesty, and values not only shape decisions but inspire trust and respect.”
Inspired by Gifford Thomas
When I first stepped onto the production floor, I had my own plan. I was ready to hit targets, boost productivity, and drive results fast. But the numbers weren’t moving. The output wasn’t where it needed to be. And the team wasn’t responding the way I expected.
At first, I thought it was a strategy problem. But the more I reflected, the more I realized it was a leadership problem.
If the culture isn’t thriving, start with the person in charge. I had to stop pointing at systems and start looking in the mirror. Productivity wasn’t showing up because I wasn’t showing up the way they needed me to. Before anything changed out there, I had to change in here.
The biggest shift I had to make was how I communicated.
I thought leadership meant showing up with answers, not questions. But what the team needed wasn’t a hero. They needed a human. Someone open to their input, willing to lead with them, not over them.
When I started asking how we could improve, being honest about our challenges, and involving them in the process, that’s when things shifted. The more I showed up honestly, the more they showed up fully. That was the beginning of the culture change.
According to Gallup, the manager or team leader alone accounts for 70% of the variance in team engagement, highlighting the significant role leadership plays in influencing team dynamics.
The shift didn’t come from a memo. It came from huddles, five or ten minutes to share updates, decisions, or changes. With nine departments and 100+ employees, it wasn’t always easy. But consistency built trust.
If you want to change the culture, start by changing the mirror.
Leadership affects everything—productivity, efficiency, customer service, and your bottom line. You can’t lead others well until you lead yourself better. And your team deserves better.
Reference:
Gallup. What Is Employee Engagement and How Do You Improve It?
https://www.gallup.com/workplace/285674/improve-employee-engagement-workplace.aspx