I’d worked in a lot of places before I started a business of my own – I had some great work experiences and some lousy one’s. One thing I did know is that when I was happy at work – I flourished and had an amazing capacity to do my best – effortlessly.

So as I muddled my way through working out what I wanted to achieve in creating the culture at RedBalloon – there was one thing I knew. As leader (and a leadership team) we can create a great environment for people to work in but ultimately it is each individuals choice if they want to participate in it. Culture is created by each person choosing to ‘play’.

Wikipedia tells us that: “Culture includes the organization values, visions, norms, working language, systems, symbols, beliefs, and habits. It is also the pattern of such collective behaviors and assumptions that are taught to new organizational members as a way of perceiving, and even thinking and feeling.”

When you lavish praise on people, they flourish. Criticize, and they shrivel up – Richard Branson

Colleagues do flourish when their efforts are acknowledged. But sometimes a manager or supervisor may not be located at the same place – think remote workers. That is why recognition and acknowledgement needs to come from everywhere. From peers, customers and suppliers – as well as you.

If you think that you are not being recognised – start acknowledging those people who serve you. This is an absolute case of what you give will also become what you get.

Engagement requires choice. Dan Satterthwaite, Dreamworks Animation

We have created something very special at RedBalloon as you can see from these pictures our culture is something that is built moment by moment with each RedBallooner choosing to participate and amplify our values and clear sense of purpose.

Listening to Raj Sisodia speaking at the Conscious Capitalism event in Australia when asked “What if someone works for a meat works or another really challenging job – how can they get a sense of purpose in their work?” The answer was succinct and clear from Raj

“Make people your primary purpose – no matter your walk of life – you are the steward of giving people a good life – you have the power to influence those people around you. This is purpose in itself – there are many ways you can improve the lives of the people around you.”

Join us in our happiness revolution. This is our guide book – as a gift you can download your own copy of the Little Book of Happy – work through it. Have fun and take charge of your own culture quest.

I look forward to hearing what you have to say about this downloadable on slideshare. And join me at the Experience Happy LinkedIn Group.