Margo Downs is a consultant and former chief People Officer of Lululemon, Stitch Fix. While much has changed over the past two decades, the fundamental elements of working have not. Downs stated that people still have the same reasons to want to work with certain organizations over others during her education session Building Culture and Disruption, moderated Rachel Flint of Hubbell Homes at the 2022 International Builders’ Show.
It all boils down to the basics. Downs stated that employees look for certain things in their employers. I wonder if people who are not interested in joining companies or leaving their jobs are thinking about it before the pandemic. The pandemic imposed a magnifying lens on what was working well for companies and what was not.
Downs stated that employees have felt more empowered in the last two years and feel more in control of their destiny and transparency. Companies must be more deliberate about their culture and create a place where employees feel valued and can grow. Downs stated that a company’s culture is its identity. It is a beacon to attract the right people and repel the wrong ones.
Culture is who you are. Downs says that culture is who you are. Culture is the essence of the company. It’s the identity you create. It is actually created by the people within the company.
When hiring employees, companies must keep in mind their culture. False hires can lead to a company’s bottom line, morale, or overall culture. Downs suggested that companies should translate their values into behaviors that can be identified during the interview process in order to avoid making mistakes in the hiring process.
If you have values, you can start to describe it. [looks like], Downs said. The values can be translated into culture. Find interview questions that are relevant to your values once you have established them. These are things that can help you see where the person is at and if they have an alignment.
While it is important for organizations to have a welcoming culture, Downs stressed that accountability is equally important.
Downs stated that if you don’t have culture or values about how people will work together, you will face challenges. Make sure you enforce your framework. Culture provides the foundation to be rigourous and stand for what you believe in.
Downs stressed that companies need to have a strong culture to retain their employees. Employees should feel safe bringing their whole person to work. They should also feel that they will be treated fairly, regardless of their backgrounds.
Downs stated that she believes we can be compassionate with people, understand their needs and give feedback while still being thorough. We can still hold people to the same standards we set in our value system.”
According to Downs, culture and inclusivity are not possible without the right leadership to ensure that it happens within an organization. Multiple employees can assume leadership roles within an organization without having to be managers or owners.
I believe that everyone can be a leader. Leadership is not a title. You don’t have to be the big boss in order to be a leader. Downs said that you can really lead in so many different ways. Being a leader means taking care of yourself. If you are a fragmented, preoccupied, and worried leader, there is no way for it to happen.