Everything big started small. Apple was started in a garage. Amazon was formed on a cross-country trip. Google was formed by two guys brainstorming. Organizations are simply ideas with skin. Those ideas came from people with enough passion and endurance to see their ideas come to life.

There is a way to think at the next level and often it involves nothing more than a simple shift in perspective.

Atmosphere affects our breathing, which affects our living.

The same is true with organizational cultures – they are an atmosphere. Some cultures can choke some people in a matter of minutes. Other cultures tend to kill people over months or years, but definitely harm an employees well-being. Others still, are free and clear and produce effective, long-term health.

Do you know those people in your workplace who stay late, do the things no one else wants to do and comes in on weekends if needed without saying much to anyone?

How about the people who are so loyal that they exude obedience to the mission, to the leader and to the team?

Which one of these is more important?

I love this time of year as one year winds down and a new year begins to show itself visible. New year’s give us the chance to reflect and start fresh both personally and in our businesses.

We can use this time to make the needed changes that will not only help us end this year strong but also start the new one with forward momentum.

My question though is this…

Good leaders initiate. They take the lead in creating and starting. Be the example today. Take the initiative in moving something forward for your organization. Don’t wait for permission. Lead…