Shaping Success Through Culture and Continuous Growth
Creating a thriving workplace culture is often seen as a daunting challenge for leaders. The pressure to balance financial performance with maintaining a positive environment can be overwhelming. Yet, as Shelly McElroy, founder of Dream Culture, reminds us, businesses must put as much value on culture as they do on their profit and loss (P&L) statements.
In a recent episode of the Moving Beyond Being Good Podcast, Shelly shares key insights on what it takes to become a master mentor and develop a high-performance culture. Drawing from her personal experiences and consulting work, she reveals how leaders can drive better outcomes by fostering environments where employees feel valued, heard, and safe.
The Power of Culture
Shelly believes that when culture is not right, it can quickly turn into a “living nightmare.” The ripple effect of poor workplace culture extends beyond the office, impacting employees’ families and their personal lives. However, with intentional effort, leaders can shape positive, dream-worthy cultures that inspire teams to perform at their best.
Businesses often focus too much on short-term revenue goals and overlook the long-term cost of a toxic workplace. “If the culture is toxic, your business will ultimately pay the price, whether through lost talent, decreased productivity, or, in worst cases, reputational damage,” Shelly explains. This is why fostering a positive culture should be a priority for leaders.
Transparency and Accountability
One of the key strategies for building a thriving culture is transparency. Shelly emphasises that leaders must be open with their teams about both successes and challenges. “When you share the numbers when things are good, it’s easier to share when things are tough,” she says. Bringing the team into the problem-solving process fosters collaboration and empowers employees to contribute creative solutions.
Additionally, holding everyone – including leaders – accountable to the same standards is critical. Culture should not be driven by default; it should be designed. This means establishing clear expectations and ensuring that even senior executives are held to the same cultural standards as entry-level employees.
Continuous Learning and Growth
As a master mentor, Shelly advocates for the importance of continuous learning and self-reflection. Leaders should consistently seek feedback and encourage their teams to do the same. “You’re never too young or too old to self-reflect,” she says, adding that growth comes from being willing to step out of the comfort zone.
Shelly’s advice for leaders is simple: focus on building trust, be open to feedback, and continuously challenge yourself and your team to improve. Only then can leaders move beyond being good and become true masters of their craft.
Watch the full podcast episode HERE for more insights from Shelly McElroy
By Gary Ryan
Gary Ryan helps talented professionals, their teams and organisations, move Beyond Being Good®