Organizations don't change until individuals change first. Cultural transformation relies on personal transformation, especially among leaders.

"When leaders don't model desired behaviors, they send a powerful negative message."

- Aubrey Daniels

Leaders serve as the cultural blueprint. Who they are and how they behave set the standard. So evolving organizational behaviors require leaders to walk the talk.

But how can executives and managers drive personal change to spark culture shifts? Consider these steps:

Become Self-Aware

Self-awareness is the foundation of growth. You can only change your behavior when you’re aware of how it’s perceived by others and of the thoughts and feelings you experience as you attempt to change. Leaders should:

• Invite feedback: Regularly seek feedback through methods like 360 reviews or soliciting input from colleagues and team members.

• Reflect intentionally. Notice thoughts and feelings during interactions as if you were an observer; take the emotion out of it and approach with a logical lens

• Get curious. Instead of assuming you already know or fully understand, ask questions to dig deeper. You’ll be amazed at how much more you learn if you take the time to ask more questions 

Set Public Commitments

Stating intentions aloud activates the brain's reward centers, raising follow-through. Leaders should:  

• Announce intentions. Communicate your goal to your teams 

• Recruit support. Have peers hold you accountable

• Check in periodically - Check back in with your key stakeholders on a consistent basis to get real-time feedback on how you are progressing 

Vocalizing change goals builds new neural pathways. We feel compelled to align our actions with our stated identity.

Recognize Resistance

Our brains are wired to resist change. Leaders must notice limiting thoughts like:

• “This change isn't that important."

• "I'm too busy right now.” 

• "My way seems good enough."

Name interference for what it is—fear of change, not reality. Such awareness curtails limiting beliefs.

Practice Repeatedly

Sustained repetition trains the brain's circuitry to make behaviors automatic. Leaders should:

• Start small. Focus on incremental change 

• Assess failures and Extract insights from setbacks

• Persist: Only consistent practice cements change 

Excellence requires commitment to ongoing self-mastery. The brain needs reinforcement, and repetition is the mother of mastery.

"Leaders serious about culture change must start by changing themselves." 

Culture flows from the top. To lift organization-wide behaviors, leaders must model the change they expect from others.

Let's Talk! Want help driving personal change to catalyze culture change? Reach out to ID360. We support leaders committed to modeling excellence. Let's explore how we can best serve you through customized leadership training and coaching!