National Life’s Culture Team has existed formally for a couple of years now. But our culture has been evolving for a long time based on our values and history.
The Culture Team was established as a way to help ensure that our mission-driven, purpose-filled cause remains central to all that we do.
Employees from all parts of the company were invited to be a part of the team and they represented a wide range of experience levels.
Some members of the original team have departed since it was established and there have been some new recruits.
This year, for the first time, two of the original team are retiring both from the Culture Team and from National Life.
So, before we let Mike Richardson go later this month and Steve Wood in June, we wanted to get their perspectives on what culture at National Life means, how it has evolved and how they hope it will continue to develop in the future as they enjoy retirement.
Here’s what they had to say.
Q: This idea of culture has sometimes been a difficult concept for some to get their heads around. How would you describe the culture at National Life?
Mike Richardson: Culture reflects the vision, values, behaviors and practices of a company. It takes a village to breathe life into a culture, keeping it top of mind with every interaction we have. The culture at National Life is getting stronger each day because our teammates show up truly wanting to make a difference in people’s lives. How they arrive at their own culture destination can be very different. When it comes to culture, one size certainly does not fit all and as a company we need to understand and respect that fact.
Steve Wood. Our culture is who we are, how we think, how we behave toward one another and our stakeholders.
Q. You’ve both been here a long time and seen different styles of leadership. What changes have you seen in the culture?
Mike. When you look at culture and how it has changed, you must look over several years as it takes a long time to see even minor changes. National Life is no exception. The biggest change I have seen is a shift in empowerment. Teammates feel more empowered now than ever to express how they feel without fear of repercussions. Having honest and difficult conversations when teammates feel passionate about a topic is key to moving issues forward together. Allowing everyone to step back and look at opportunities with a different, more informed set of lenses will benefit everyone. Also, the employee meetings are standing room only now as they have become more interactive with the right amount of corporate speak and employee interaction. We are getting to a culture where teammates truly enjoy being with each other and that is reflective in how we treat each other and our community.
Steve. We were once a company of maxi- and mini-pyramids. Some believed that knowledge, wisdom and good decisions flowed from the peak downward. We’ve transformed to a company where more voices are heard and have influence.
Q. Why do you think culture is important?
Mike. Culture is the blood line of every company. When your culture is rich and diverse, coming to work is pretty darn fun and exciting. When a culture is still and without purpose, work becomes just that, work. For our culture to continue to thrive we all need to listen to understand and not just to respond. I have learned so much from my teammates over the years, which has made me a better person professionally and personally and for that I am forever grateful. We are given two ears and one mouth. I have always tried to use what I have more of, the ability to listen.
Steve. Our culture defines us, in our own eyes and in the eyes of others. To be relevant (in the marketplace and our communities) we must be worthy of others’ trust and respect. We earn this by doing good every day.
Q. How has the emphasis on culture at National Life changed our approach to our jobs?
Mike. When I first started my career at National Life, it was common practice to complete the task I was given without questioning the “why”. When you have a culture of open dialog where every person’s opinion is important, you finally see solutions from people closest to the work. Being fully engaged on what we are working on, collaborating with teammates at all levels is how culture has changed and has allowed us to approach our jobs differently. Each one of us is a leader. Some of us just don’t know it yet.
Steve. Engagement has risen. This enables us to attract new associates, retain existing engaged people and carry forward our cause.
Q. What are you proudest of in terms of the work you’ve done in helping to improve culture at National Life?
Mike. I love people and hearing what makes them happy. We spend a lot of our lives working and it just makes sense to create an environment and culture that makes you feel good. Everyone has the power to influence the culture at National Life, and I have enjoyed being the conduit that allows teammates to have a voice. As mentioned before, one size does not fit all when it comes to culture. Some people feel comfortable expressing their opinion with ease, and others need a little help. I am humbled and honored that so many people around the company have felt comfortable expressing how they feel and when they were not comfortable speaking themselves, allowed me to be their voice through the Culture Team. There is no higher honor than that for me. I will miss the energy of the great people and culture at National Life and will take what I have learned from all of you with me in the next chapter of my life.
Steve. I advocate embracing change. From personal experience I have learned that change brings growth. I also know that change can be disquieting for many people. The Culture Team has given me a voice. It has allowed me a forum to advocate for 1.) broader recognition of each person’s contributions, which was, and to some degree still is, a needed change, 2.) for fostering collaboration across the organization and 3.) for changing our collective mindset to that of empowering servant leaders. I shall always be “all in” on the work of our Culture Team and this incredible company.