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Powerful corporate cultures do not just happen. They are the result of an organization that knows exactly what its highpriority behaviors are.
Show me an organization with a strong, positive corporate culture and I will show you an organization that is clear about which soft-skill behaviors are high priority and sings about those high-priority behaviors from the rooftops. This company does not just focus on young talent, of course, but an emphasis on key soft-skill behaviors makes everyone in the organization much better, even the youngest, least experienced employees. To make it easy to understand, think of the U.S. Marine Corps or Disney. Both organizations, in different lines of work, employ numerous young people and both famously imbue a huge number of soft-skill behaviors in their workforce. Many other examples exist.
*A quick-service restaurant chain stands out as the best in every market in which it operates: From top to bottom, this company's employees of all ages are always clean-cut, wear tidy uniforms, are prompt, attentive and exceedingly polite, and always go the extra mile to ensure quality and service. I jokingly reference the Simpsons character Ned Flanders- the goody-goody next door neighbor-when describing the personnel in this organization. The organization is surely not a model of diversity, but it is a model of incredible soft skills throughout the organization. Whether you like Ned Flanders or not, you can see how he would do a great job in a role where what matters most is cleanliness, fresh hot food and great customer service.
*One rental car chain is consistently rated the best and also has been the most profitable and fastest growing for years running. Why? Selfpresentation, quality, teamwork, initiative and problem solving.
*In...