A good culture is important. Thus we see companies striving to establish a culture that is energetic, fresh, and full of promise to the talent they are striving to find or keep. Hence, the cool workplaces, bean bags, coffee bars and cubbies for napping etched into the walls.
While I’m all in for exotic coffees and the like, the real key to establishing a great culture lies in the simple truth of love. Is this a place that loves its people? Is this a place that loves the people they serve?
Love naturally produces a forum for honesty and reflection; love provides room for growth and failure. Fear does quite the opposite as it isolates and drives creativity down grooved paths. It focuses on “what-if” and loss. Fear will eventually lead you in the very direction of your gaze.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. – I John 4:18
If you are feeling fearful this is an alarm that you are headed in the wrong direction. Change course quickly! If you want a cool culture, I suggest love as its core.