Creating Constructive Cultures: Leading People and Organizations to Effectively Solve Problems and Achieve Goals

by Janet L. Szumal, Robert A. Cooke

Keys to culture change based on 40 years of researchIf attracting and retaining talent, encouraging innovation, expediting strategy implementation, and bolstering expansion and growth are at the top of your organization’s agenda, then you need to read Creating Constructive Cultures.

Venture into the culture change journeys of organizations—big and small, global and local, public and private, in various industries and countries—to discover what works and what doesn’t. You will learn the secrets of how leadership teams around the world have successfully shifted their workplace cultures in a more productive direction using a proven methodology.

In Creating Constructive Cultures, you’ll get answers to critical questions, such

What is the ideal culture for your organization?What do toxic cultures look like—and what are the forces that enable them?What is the biggest obstacle to change that most leaders miss?What are the ways in which leaders purposefully and unknowingly impact culture? (There are probably a lot more than you realize!)How can you and other leaders recognize—and overcome—the negative impact of culture on your own thinking and behavior to create desired changes and achieve goals?

Purchase the Creating Constructive Cultures book now and start your journey towards growth.

413 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 18, 2019

Reviews

[Cariadne · Rating 1 out of 5]

With thanks to Weaving Influence and apologies for my delayed review, I received a copy of Creating Constructive Cultures. As I was asked to provide feedback, I tried to remain diligent in my reading -- yes, because I wanted to be thorough, it's a serious and academically worthy topic, I care on providing my opinion and I am a culture + employee engagement practitioner. Unfortunately, I struggled on finding what to take away.

What I found mystifying was the PhD authors were espousing a methodology their org, Human Synergistics International (never heard of them? neither have I), launched and I had no idea on how to re-create or validate the charts and R&D they feature in here. I am guessing I would have to pay them to have them assess my business culture. Which, I kind of found as a rip-off in having covered hundreds of pages.

The exercise felt like reading a text book, but since I gained no how-tos or usable takeaways from their case studies, I realized I was simply holding a very heavy marketing tool for their company.

Really wanted something of value and disappointed my reading investment resulted in nothing much.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creating Constructive Cultures paints a clear picture of what a constructive culture should look like and proves the case that constructive cultures are better environments in which to work. It’s packed with data, case studies, and good information, but it’s not a typical business book. It has a textbook feel about it, and because it only focuses on Human Synergistics products, it also feels somewhat infomercial like. There are many culture surveys on the market, and it seems it would have been more impactful if more instruments had been used to prove the case for constructive cultures. Not everyone is going to use Human Synergistics products. Even if the focus remained on those products, it would have been more impactful if data from comparable competitors showed similar results. All in all, I think if you are wanting to learn what a constructive culture looks like, this book will be helpful. I received an ARC.

[Dr. Byron Ernest · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most extensive use of data and research I have encountered dealing with organizational culture. The most striking part of this, however, is the practical way in which the information is delivered - in easy to understand chunks that allow for what, I have been calling in tweets, chances for reflective gut checks. As leaders, we need this opportunity for reflection and these driving questions. Reading this book gives leaders an opportunity to take a deep look and examine the community being created as a result of that leadership. As this book taught us, "Leaders Affect Culture...and Culture Affects Leaders!" This book should be on that shelf that contains your most valued books between your favorite book ends.

~Dr. Byron L. Ernest

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

An evidentiary walk though the correlation between an organization's constructive culture and the efeffectivness is said organization. Change is constant but thoughtful leaders can create organic cultures which improves thier organization in a statistically significant manner. Szumal and Cooke provide evidence os this positive correlation using case studies and quantitative analysis to define what is a positive culture and how different organizations can implement them. An excellent read and well worth the time investment to.read and study.

[Kym Hamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I enjoyed most about Creating Constructive Cultures was the range of case studies and I made a lot of notes to consider in working with culture change in my own business. A good reference book and one that will be staying on the shelf for me to dip into again and again. 4-stars