What skills are critical for a VP of Culture to master to transform a company’s culture and enhance employee engagement? This hands-on role requires a blend of interpersonal, emotional, and values-based expertise to shape the workplace environment. We will delve into three fundamental skill sets that a VP of People and Culture must possess to lead with empathy, inspire motivation, and drive organizational success.
Key Takeaways
A VP of Culture must prioritize valuing people, recognizing them as the organization’s most valuable resource and creating an environment that emphasizes employee well-being, satisfaction, and belonging.
Key skills for a successful VP of Culture include Personality Science, Emotional Science, and Values Science Skills, which collectively contribute to understanding, valuing, and motivating employees on a deeper level.
Developing these key skills is an ongoing process that requires continuous learning and implementation of a curriculum to hone these competencies, leading to better performance management, employee development, and alignment with organizational values.
- A Fractional VP of Culture could be the perfect solution for growing companies.
A focus on Valuing People.
The role of a VP of People and Culture includes:
Understanding that people are an organization’s most valuable resource
Recognizing that employees are not just performing tasks, but are human beings whose motivation, satisfaction, and overall well-being affect the company’s performance and success
Creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected
Implementing an organizational strategy that prioritizes employee relations, talent management, and inclusion
To achieve this, it’s not enough to have good intentions. As the saying goes, “We don’t rise to the level of our good intentions; we fall to the level of our training”. Therefore, the VP of Culture must implement a curriculum that fosters a common language and skills based on valuing people. This approach not only enhances employee engagement but also boosts talent acquisition and retention, contributing to the company’s overall success.
The VP of Culture plays a pivotal role in performance management, employee development, and organizational development. Their responsibilities extend beyond managing human resources, as they are also responsible for shaping the company’s culture and ensuring it aligns with the organizational strategy. They are the vice president of people, in essence, valuing people internally that leads to valuing people externally. Both will result in a 11% higher stock value, a 23% higher share of wallet from your customer loyalty, and 22% higher productivity from thriving employees. The key is to target valuing people, and the metrics are the trailing indicators of a culture where people are valued.
The three skills needed to value
So, what are the key skills needed to value people effectively? Three stand out: Personality Science Skills, Emotional Science Skills, and Values Science Skills. These skills are not just about having excellent leadership skills or strong interpersonal skills. They run deeper, going into the science of human behavior, emotions, and values.
Understanding and mastering these skills enable a VP of Culture to engage employees at a profound level, fostering a culture where everyone feels valued and motivated. This is what sets apart a truly great VP of Culture from a merely good one. It’s not just about managing people; it’s about understanding and valuing them.
Personality Science Skills
The first of these skills is Personality Science Skills. A VP of Culture must be a master of understanding different personality types and how they influence behavior and motivation. The five-factor model, a widely accepted model in psychology, can be a useful tool in this regard. It helps understand individual differences in behavior, which is crucial for effective leadership and talent management.
Leading to people’s strengths can significantly boost employee engagement, by as much as 70%. However, most leaders lack this knowledge, and hence, fail to leverage it for employee engagement and performance management. This underlines the importance of a curriculum and time investment in developing these skills.
Armed with the knowledge and understanding of Personality Science, a VP of Culture can:
Tailor their leadership style to suit different personalities
Enhance their leadership skills and the overall effectiveness of their role
Improve employee performance
Enhance job satisfaction
Contribute to a positive organizational culture
However, developing Personality Science Skills is not a one-time effort. It requires a continuous learning process backed by science and data. This is where the role of a VP of Culture becomes crucial. They must not only possess these skills themselves but also foster an environment that encourages continuous learning and development in these areas.
Emotional Science Skills
The second key skill is Emotional Science Skills. Emotional intelligence, the ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions and those of others, including aspects such as gender identity, is a critical skill for any leader, more so for a VP of Culture. Research shows that emotional intelligence improves individual performance by 20%. It’s also the number one factor for team development, making it an essential skill for leaders and human resources professionals.
Yet, most leaders have never been taught these skills. This gap underscores the need for a curriculum and time investment to develop Emotional Science Skills. A VP of Culture, armed with these skills, can foster a culture of emotional intelligence in the organization, enhancing interpersonal skills and leading to improved employee performance and job satisfaction.
Emotional Science Skills also play a crucial role in complying with regulations and attracting top talent. By understanding and managing emotions effectively, a VP of Culture can ensure a more innovative and respectful and quality focused teams, contributing to the organization’s success in the long run.
As with Personality Science Skills, developing Emotional Science Skills is an ongoing process that requires continuous learning and development. The VP of Culture plays a crucial role in fostering this learning culture and aligning it with the company’s overall organizational strategy.
Values Science Skills
The third key skill is Values Science Skills. Values are what drive us, what motivate us to act in a certain way. Understanding values is, therefore, crucial for a VP of Culture. It’s the number one tool to prevent burnout and keep people motivated long term. This is particularly important in today’s fast-paced work environment, where burnout is a common issue.
According to Stephen Hayes, we never arrive at the end of values; they go on forever. This means that understanding and working with values is an ongoing process. This continuous exploration of values can:
Keep the motivation high
Prevent burnout
Contribute to a positive work environment
Contribute to overall organizational success.
Interestingly, research has shown that individuals motivated by compassion have lower burnout statistics. This highlights the importance of fostering a culture of compassion in the workplace, which is one of the core responsibilities of a VP of Culture.
Developing Values Science Skills, like the other two skills, requires a culture of continuous learning and development. It’s a journey, not a destination. And the VP of Culture plays a crucial role in leading this journey, ensuring the organization’s culture is aligned with its values and objectives.
Fractional VP of Culture
If you are a small to medium sized company but cannot afford a VP of Culture, but still want all the benefits? Consider a Fractional VP of Culture. Hiring a 1/4 of a VP of Culture, gets you the experience, strategy, and implementation muscle to get you moving in the right direction until your size justifies a full time position. Meet Randal Weidenaar. With a background focused on culture and an education that is culture-centric, Randal is well-equipped to take on the role of a Fractional VP of Culture. His expertise in Personality Science, Emotional Science, and Values Science makes him an ideal choice for this position.
Randal brings a wealth of leadership and culture development experience and knowledge to the table. His techniques and curriculum, honed over years of practice, are ready to be deployed for your organization. As a key member of the senior leadership team, he can help shape your organization’s culture and values, attracting top talent and fostering a people-centric work environment.
Randal’s commitment to valuing people and fostering a culture of continuous learning and development makes him an ideal candidate for the VP of Culture position. His approach aligns perfectly with the modern concept of a VP of People, focusing not just on talent acquisition and management, but also on creating a culture where everyone feels valued and motivated.
Summary
In conclusion, a great VP of Culture goes beyond managing human resources. They understand the importance of valuing people and work towards creating a culture that respects and values its employees. They possess key skills in Personality Science, Emotional Science, and Values Science, and foster a culture of continuous learning and development in these areas.
Randal Weidenaar stands out as an ideal candidate for the VP of Culture position. With his background, education, and ready-to-implement techniques, he is well-equipped to lead your organization towards a culture that values its people and fosters continuous learning and development. His approach aligns perfectly with the modern concept of a VP of People, making him a valuable addition to any organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a head of people and culture do?
The Head of People and Culture oversees a range of HR functions in large companies, such as recruitment, training, performance management, and employee relations. This role carries significant responsibility and influence.
What are the key skills a VP of Culture must possess?
The key skills a VP of Culture must possess include Personality Science, Emotional Science, and Values Science skills. These skills are essential for fostering a positive and cohesive company culture.
Why are these skills important?
These skills are important because they help a VP of Culture understand and value people effectively, fostering a culture where everyone feels valued and motivated.
Who is an ideal candidate for a VP of Culture position?
Randal Weidenaar, with his background, education, and ready-to-implement techniques, is an ideal candidate for a VP of Culture position based on his qualifications and expertise.
What is the importance of continuous learning and development in these skills?
Continuous learning and development in these skills is crucial for maintaining motivation, preventing burnout, and contributing to a positive work environment and organizational success. It is an ongoing process that is essential for understanding and valuing people.