Tara Scott’s Post

𝗜’𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗢𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗰 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗮𝗹. Unfortunately, that dream ended at around age 14—but that’s a story for another post. As someone deeply invested in building our company culture, I often discuss with our founders how we frame the relationship between team members and the organization. One phrase I sometimes hear from early-stage companies is, "𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆." While I appreciate the sentiment, this metaphor can set up unrealistic expectations—and, inevitably, frustrations. Families and companies operate by very different rules and values, and I feel it’s essential to keep this distinction in mind. At NeXtWind, we prefer the metaphor of an 𝗢𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺. It captures our focus on high performance, diverse skill sets, and the idea of coming together under a shared vision. Our goal is to create a culture where everyone feels valued, supported, and respected—where each person’s unique strengths contribute to a common goal. An authentic team culture—where you truly walk the talk—is powerful. It’s about working together as a team, not as a family. We’re a high-performing team, aligned and committed, each bringing our best to achieve something meaningful together. And yes, we do care for each other—but in the way teammates do, supporting each other to reach shared goals, rather than with the unconditional love and support you might expect from family. Thank you, Karina Klaus, for the reminder to talk about this more often. How do other leaders communicate and live this? #CompanyCulture #Teamwork #Leadership #NeXtWind #OlympicCulture #TeamCulture

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗗𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗨𝘀 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆? Let me take you back to 1961 when Albert Bandura conducted a fascinating study with a Bobo doll. Here’s what happened: Children watched an 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗯𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗹. Then, when it was their turn to play, guess what? 90% of them imitated the aggressive behavior they had just seen. What does this mean for us today? It’s simple. 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗼𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. And this principle doesn’t just apply to children. Think about your company culture. The founders set the tone, the founding team watches, and this trickles down through every layer of leadership. If you want to 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, don’t just talk about it—𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁. Your actions speak louder than words ever could. --- P.S. What behaviors have you noticed others pick up from you?

Make Positive Influence and Change from within? Ever wonder how to shift company culture from your position, even if there are few levels above you? The reality is, you can't directly change the behavior of those you don't interact with regularly. Instead, focus on what you can control: your immediate environment. If you can influence just couple of people around you, you're already making a difference. By nurturing a positive culture within this small circle, you'll see the ripple effect in action. Well-led teams tend to outperform others, and when someone from your circle moves up and carries those lessons forward, the momentum spreads. It's about creating pockets of excellence that eventually transform the entire organization, one step at a time. You don't have to convert everyone; just focus on creating your own positive influence. #CompanyCulture #PositiveInfluence #TeamLeadership #ChangeFromWithin #TeamEmpowerment 

The concept of “dissonant bubbles” has stuck with me lately. These bubbles form when there’s a gap between our thoughts and what we actually say or do—when we nod in agreement but carry doubts or go along with an idea, even though we don’t fully believe in it. In my work with teams and leaders, I’ve seen how these moments of dissonance can build up, impacting morale, innovation, and ultimately, culture. When people don’t feel safe to share what’s truly on their minds, it creates a ripple effect across the team. Trust wavers, engagement dips, and authentic collaboration fades. Imagine if we eliminated these dissonant bubbles by fostering an environment of psychological safety. A space where it’s okay to speak up, to question, to offer new perspectives. What might change in your team if everyone felt safe to be genuinely themselves? 💡 Reflection: Where do you experience dissonant bubbles in your work or life? What would it take to bring those into alignment? The best teams, and the best leaders, don’t just avoid conflict—they create a foundation where authenticity isn’t just welcomed; it’s essential. Let’s work toward closing the gap between thought, word, and action, one honest conversation at a time. #Leadership #PsychologicalSafety #Authenticity #EveryDayGreatDay

🌍 "If you are a cockerel, crow. If you are a hen, lay eggs." - Igbo Proverb Have you ever felt pressured to fit a mould that wasn't right for you? Growing up with this Igbo proverb, I never truly grasped its profound wisdom until I began working with diverse teams across the globe as a cross-cultural/narrative wisdom consultant. Here's why it matters for every leader and team member: Embrace Your Unique Strengths 💪 We often try to mimic others' success strategies, forgetting our own superpowers. Diversity Drives Innovation 🚀 A team of all cockerels or all hens limits potential. True magic happens when diverse talents unite. Authenticity Breeds Trust 🤝 When you're true to yourself, you inspire others to do the same. This creates a culture of openness and innovation. Cultural Wisdom Enhances Global Leadership 🌐 Proverbs like this remind us that leadership insights transcend borders. Are we listening? Productivity Soars When People Are in Their Element 📈 . Imagine a workplace where everyone's strengths are celebrated. That's the key to unlocking unprecedented productivity. In my work as a cross-cultural/narrative wisdom consultant, I've seen teams transform when they apply this principle. The cockerel who tried to lay eggs was frustrated and unproductive. The hen who attempted to crow was embarrassed and ineffective. But when each embraced their natural gifts? Magic happened. 🤔 Question for you: What's your unique "crow" or "egg"? How are you leveraging it in your role? Share your thoughts below! Let's learn from each other's diverse perspectives. #LeadershipWisdom #CulturalIntelligence #AuthenticLeadership #TeamProductivity #GlobalMindset

The most misunderstood word in the corporate world today. CULTURE. A cursory search will reveal a number of different definitions with one thing in common. It’s the BELIEFS that govern how people behave, act, lead, AND how their team responds to their leadership. It impacts whether they achieve, or don’t achieve, what is possible. Corporate Culture, is about how people believe and behave not just at work, but as a part of any team or group including the marriage, family, and friends. If you're a leader, and I propose you are, it starts with YOUR internal culture. Join us in Dallas July 16th-17th... https://lnkd.in/gYHuKMMw

What 51 Hours of 1:1's Taught Me About Company Culture 💡💬 “You’re going to love it here!” 💖   Over the past 6 weeks, I made it a priority to spend 30 minutes each with all my non-direct reports—4 supervisors, 6 team leads, and 92 representatives. Quality time spent listening, learning, and building connections. ⏱️ WHY? Because genuine relationships are the foundation of my leadership philosophy. I believe deeply in understanding the strengths and the areas for growth within a team. 🌟 What I didn’t expect was the sheer level of enthusiasm, positivity, and warmth I encountered. Every person I met with shared the same sentiment and said: "You're going to love it here." 😲 This 👆 is a clear reflection of Zelis' company culture: one that truly VALUES its PEOPLE. In my years in the contact center industry, it’s rare to encounter such universal engagement and positivity from front-line teams. This isn’t something that just happens—it’s a direct result of effective leadership and a culture built on mutual respect, trust, and support. 🙌 Nicely done Zelis! Key Takeaways for Leaders: 🤝 First impressions matter—When you make an effort to connect, you set the tone for collaboration, openness, and transparency. 💬 Engage with your team—The more you listen, the more you learn. You’ll discover what truly drives your people and the unique strengths they bring to the table. 🙌 Culture isn’t just a buzzword—It’s something that’s felt in every conversation and action. A positive culture is a byproduct of great leadership and a team’s collective commitment to shared values. I’m grateful to be part of such an incredible team. #Leadership #CompanyCulture #TeamEngagement #OneZelis

We often assume our way of working, thinking, or solving problems is the only way. But what if we're missing out on better opportunities, ideas, or solutions simply because we’re not looking beyond our own view? Great leaders and teams succeed when they challenge their assumptions and embrace diverse perspectives. Whether it’s listening to a junior colleague, seeking feedback from customers, or collaborating across departments, expanding your "field of vision" can lead to breakthroughs. Let us challenge ourselves: Ask a question you don’t normally ask. Consider an idea you’d typically dismiss. See the world through someone else’s eyes—you might just discover something incredible. #Culture #Business #MakeItHappen

The phrase "Without empathy, culture change is just a slogan" highlights the importance of empathy in driving meaningful cultural transformation within an organization or society. Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of others. When changing culture, it's not enough to simply announce new values or goals; these changes need to be deeply felt and embraced by people. Without empathy, leaders might impose changes that seem superficial or disconnected from the real experiences and needs of individuals. This disconnect can lead to resistance or disengagement, rendering the efforts ineffective. Empathy helps in crafting a culture that resonates with people's true concerns and motivations, ensuring that changes are relevant, inclusive, and genuinely transformative. In essence, empathy bridges the gap between theoretical concepts of culture change and the practical, lived experiences of individuals, making the change process authentic and sustainable. #Empathy #Leadership #Culture #Teamwork

🌟 Managing Gen Z: A Journey of Adaptation 🌟 A few months ago, I welcomed a talented group of Gen Z employees to our team at FunnelEvo, and I quickly realized managing them required a fresh approach. First, technology is their language📱. They thrive when digital tools streamline tasks, so I introduced new platforms that boosted productivity and engagement. Next, I discovered they crave feedback and growth 🗣️. Regular, honest feedback helped them improve and stay motivated, making communication a key focus for me. Purpose-driven work 🌍 also became crucial. They want to know their efforts contribute to something bigger, so I made sure to connect their tasks to our company's mission. Lastly, I learned that authenticity matters 💬. Gen Z wants real, transparent leaders, so I made sure to communicate openly and lead by example. Managing Gen Z has been a rewarding journey, and by embracing these values, I’ve seen them thrive in ways I hadn’t imagined. #Leadership #GenZ #WorkCulture #Teamwork #ManagementTips