“The only thing we have is one another. The only competitive advantage we have is the culture and values of the company. Anyone can open up a coffee store. We have no technology, we have no patent. All we have is the relationship around the values of the company and what we bring to the customer every day. And we all have to own it.” Howard Schultz, CEO, Starbucks
Key Activity
Create Positive Staff Culture Agreements (15-30 minutes in small group and 15-30 min in large group)
Example of Staff Culture Agreements
Wellness Practice
Strategy for Self-care – STRENGTH – Stress Resilience
In order to offer a non-anxious presence with our colleagues, students, and their families, we need to be able to recognize the times when we cannot! In other words, we need to be able to recognize when we need either a new perspective or a break. Often our bodies let us know. The first question we might ask ourselves is, what am I telling myself about this situation and what is another possible story? Here’s a fascinating TED Talk on making stress our friend (also referenced in Section 10).
And, sometimes we really just need a break! It is helpful to have a plan for what we can do and who can assist us in finding a way to take a break. Of course, all of this is successful only if we allow ourselves the vulnerability of needing a break and, if appropriate, asking for help.
Circle Agenda
Staff Circle Agenda, Section Seven
Core Content Visual to Display in Common Staff Areas
What Do You Want to Say About the Culture of Staff? – Use this Visual and Display in Staff Break Areas
Posting this visual in common staff areas will serve as a reminder of content covered to staff and perhaps serve as a future conversation started for deeper reflection among staff members.
Supplementary Activities/Handouts
Support Begins With Empathy! (10-15 min)
For Easy Printing
You can find all documents in this section included in this pdf for easy printing.
The documents included are numbered individually, not as one document.
Links Specifically for Leadership
How to Avoid the Contagion Effect of Sharing Tough Stories between Colleagues
Read the information about low impact debriefing strategies and decide how to share with staff.
Additional Resources
For those in leadership positions, an insightful article that talks about the importance of and elements to a positive staff culture and what you can do as a leader to foster those elements: Proof That Positive Work Cultures Are More Productive
See how DaVita HealthCare Partners created a community culture that dramatically enhanced the wellbeing of the organization, its staff and their clients: It Takes a Village
If you want a deeper dive, the American Medical Association developed an in-depth module on creating positive team culture in your practice, including 10 steps for building a stronger, healthier team culture: Create Healthy Team Culture
