Yesterday, I enjoyed The Australian Institute of Company Directors and UQ Business School Leaders’ Edge Luncheon with James Hogan.
Australian, James Hogan, global CEO of Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, has made Etihad the fastest growing airline in aviation history. In 2009, Etihad won the title of the World’s Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards – a remarkable achievement considering the airline is less than seven years old.
In mentioning his company’s three objectives – financial, brand and service – James singled out RESPECT as a goals value of his corporation. ‘Respect’ is defined by Etihad as “how we treat you”.
His website focuses on “the best of Arabian hospitality: cultured, considerate, warm and generous” adding further to the understanding of how respect might be measured.
Now wouldn’t it be interesting to measure the real alignment of Etihad’s staff to that value? Does voice equal touch?
How about your organisation?
Do you know what values drive your team members?
What claims are made by your shiny brass plaque about your corporate DNA?
Do your team members cohere or otherwise align with your claims?
Here’s the important bit: When aligned or coherent, teams release enormous amounts of discretionary effort. I’d expect that this is part of the magic that James Hogan sprinkles at Etihad.
He gets it: corporate culture is the platform upon which to construct winning strategies.
Why not ask The Culture Doctor® to meet with you, without obligation, to discuss how you might align your team members with your shiny brass plaque?
