The most famous fence in the annual Grand National race in the UK is named after Captain Mark Becher who landed in the ditch after being unseated by Conrad in the first official Grand National race in 1839.  It’s called Becher’s Brook and has a 4’ 8” high huge hedge and then a ditch and sharp drop. Culture Change and conflict resolution can be a High Fence to jump. In working with Executives and their companies, I often use a graph to map the cultural climate of the organization and its effect on the creativity of the leaders and the staff.  The chart has innovation on the left axis and the cultural climate on the bottom axis, from open and inviting on the right and hostile on the left.

The line of creativity runs from the top right to the bottom left corner, demonstrating the effect of cultural climate on creativity and innovation. One Managing Director of a large retail white goods box shifter said “We are not on the chart, we are further left, blood on the wall’  I witnessed their meetings.  Working with a well-known tabloid newspaper’s advertising department, seeking to launch a weekend color supplement, I used an animal analogy to have them see their personal style while gaining daily advertising revenue, alien to the world of color supplements and long-term adverting relationships.  

The Men and Women voiced: jaguar, hyenas, wolves, and other predatory animals.  There was one Racing Stallion, my client, the Department Head, staying ahead of the pack. What is the climate for creativity in your business, professional or celebrity career, your empire, your family, or you? So how to use this in both a personal and business context?  

First Personal: Consider the climate in your working and personal relationships, If it is friendly, even loving, cold and efficient, or somewhere in between. If you were to describe yourself as an animal what would you pick? Ask your partner, your children, your colleagues, your staff, and your friends.  When you have one or more answers, what does that tell you about your positive and potentially negative attributes/blocks., or behaviors?  Do you want to change? If yes, pick an animal to model!

Years ago, I was a Panda, sleeping eating, and low drive. Now I’m a Quantum Jockey, and if we meet, you can guess my animal.Now to business, how to change the cultural climate in an organization? First, help the leader or leaders to change.  I created a program called Authentic Leadership, based on our program Authentic Excellence.  I can send you the Authentic Leadership Checklist, so If you witness (see, hear, feel), a hostile climate in business, your home, and family, or elsewhere in life and want to help make a change, it is best to make the change in you first.