Today’s video features Good Comes First book co-authors Mark Babbitt and yours truly discussing what it takes to build and sustain an uncompromising work culture. Here’s an excerpt.

Mark: “Let’s talk about this ‘old normal, new normal.’ What we’re doing with Good Comes First is creating a new normal or creating a means by which to generate a new normal. We don’t have to go back to a toxic work culture. One of the things we’re seeing in the news as we talk today is this concept of a labor shortage.

There is no labor shortage. There’s a respect shortage, and people don’t need to go back to work. Why go back to work if all you’re going to get is disrespect? If you’re going to have to work with a toxic colleague or worse, a toxic boss – the government has set it up now and eventually those benefits will run out.

Why go back to work if you’re less happy than you are sitting at home watching Netflix?”

Chris: “I think people can afford to be choosy. Some are in a different position with that, Some have a greater ability to wait two or three months. Even folks that are jumping in and taking what is available now, they’re looking for something more. They’re looking for a leader they can respect, a leader that inspires them, a leader that drives the company to serve others.

Those needs are not just post-pandemic. Now this is a team that I’m interested in, right? This is a purpose that I’m inspired by. But it also gets to the idea that younger generations are not inspired by some of the things that our boomer males – we talk about boomer male syndrome in the book – about old school thinking and procedures and systems and disrespectful treatment – and younger generations are simply not going to put up with that.”

Mark: “That’s also a part of the why Good Comes First is needed now. In a short while Gen-Y and Gen-Z will represent 75% of the workforce – and they’re not going to tolerate an autocratic boss. They’re they’re not going to go to work happily knowing that when they get there they might hear those words, ‘You’re just lucky to have a job. We can replace you tomorrow.’ They want to feel validated. They want to feel trusted. They want to know that there’s opportunity for growth.

In Good Comes First, we focus on those issues. Those issues lead directly to respect and, when people feel respected – and this is a foundational principle of Good Comes First – when leaders equally value respect and results.”

Watch this video for the authors’ insights on how holding everyone accountable for both respect and results has such a powerful positive impact.

Good Comes First will be released on September 28, 2021. Learn more and pre-order your copy at GoodComesFirst.com.

This is episode three of our Good Comes First video series. You’ll find Good Comes First and Culture Leadership Charge episodes and more on my YouTubeiTunes, and Amazon Podcast channels.

Have you responded to this month’s culture leadership poll? Add your ratings to two questions – it takes less than a minute. Once you vote, click “results” to see the responses from around the globe.

Video production was brilliantly handled by Phelos Productions – Chris Archuleta and David Towers.

S. Chris Edmonds

Chris helps leaders create purposeful, positive, productive work cultures. He's a speaker, author, and executive consultant. He blogs, podcasts, and video casts. He is the author of two Amazon bestsellers: Good Comes First (2021) and The Culture Engine (2014).
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