Culture

Culture. What is it exactly. As England and Australia prepare for the world cup match tonight the question of culture has again hit the news. Should the English fans boo David Warner and Steve Smith. The subject of booing has also been in the news for the AFL. How far should a governing body go in trying to direct the attitudes of those who have paid their hard earned. Does paying a general admission entry ticket give a patron the right to verbally abuse another person. Should a passionate supporter accept the abuse of their heroes or is it even understandable that some not skilled in communication may take out their displeasure in a physical way. Add alcohol and perhaps other substances to the mix and you have the potential for anti social behaviour to occur.

Back to culture for a moment. It is often described as the way we do things around here. Those who have attended Perth's stadiums at a Fremantle Dockers game will attest that the feeling is somewhat different to attending Geelong's skilled stadium. Not right or wrong, just different. In the old days, Victoria Park would no doubt have had a different feel to Glenferrie Oval.

In the workplace, we also talk about culture as being the social norms and behaviours demanded by the employer. The standard you walk past is the standard you accept. Is it ok for a senior person to turn aggressive and abusive in a meeting because they don't like what is being heard. Is this any different really to the sporting patron?

My view is that your values and beliefs guide your behaviour. Where values and beliefs line up with your employer, then the culture will be relatively comfortable. So comfortable you might not even realise you are abiding or adding to the culture every day. Where there is a mismatch, it won't be all that long before there will be a feeling that you can't quite put your finger on to say that something just isn't quite right, isn't gelling.

The good news is that you can consciously make a decision to improve your culture, both collectively and individually. The charismatic can influence culture across groups of people they haven't even met. Did you notice the power Virat Kohli exuded when he gestured to the Indians in the crowd that he demanded applause rather than disrespect for Smith. Eoin Morgan opted out of such a statement, instead declaring that it was up to the fans to choose their behaviour. I am not for a moment suggesting that Virat is right, and Eoin is wrong, however I do find this nuance of culture interesting. Nobody could say Virat Kohli is not every bit as combative as Eoin Morgan in the contest. Why then, did he do what he did. His answer was that he didn't think it was right and didn't want Indian fans doing something he didn't think was acceptable. Culture.

I will be interested to see what the crowd at Lords do. Bear in mind that Lords is the home of cricket. Cricket, the sport that long ago in more innocent times was said to be more free from anything sordid, anything dishonourable than any game in the world. Will Lords return to these times, or give in to weakness and sink the boots in to those who they may think easy targets or vulnerable.

In your workplace - do you seek to uphold the values of your employer, the provider to your family or do you undermine at every opportunity at the water cooler or behind furtive glances when the boss isn't watching.

In your family - do you demand manners from your kids, expect them to be inclusive of those around them and to be kind every day. If not, should you? What is the culture that you would like to see?

I believe in simple values. Personal values like self discipline, team before self, courage, preparation, passion and excellence. The business I lead has abundance, leadership, integrity, family first and excellence on our wall. Not identical, but close enough to be a good fit. It is easy to talk the talk. Much harder however to walk the walk.