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Changing an organization’s culture can often feel like a Herculean task, fraught with challenges and intangibles. As Senior Talent Consultant at DRG Talent , I’ve witnessed firsthand how the subtleties of interaction can either fortify or undermine our efforts to cultivate a positive workplace environment. No one will fault you for giving a standard “I’m good” to the question “How are you?” But if you choose to step outside of that norm, you will find a powerful opportunity to connect with colleagues.
You may not realize that there is a simple yet powerful action that everyone, regardless of role, level of seniority, or tenure, can start implementing immediately: the art of meaningful greetings and goodbyes.
In our daily routines, whether on the phone, Zoom, email, or in-person meetings, we frequently overlook the importance of how we greet and bid farewell to our colleagues, clients, and partners. These moments, though seemingly inconsequential, hold the power to set the tone for our interactions and, by extension, our organizational culture. Investing energy into quality greetings and goodbyes is not just about being polite; it’s about making a conscious effort to enhance the way we connect with each other.
Consider for a moment the typical exchanges we encounter: “How’s it going?” followed by the automatic “Good! How are you?” “Good.” While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this script, it does little to foster genuine connection or reflect our personalities. This is where the opportunity for change lies. By infusing our greetings and goodbyes with more energy, positivity, empathy, or even humor, we can begin to transform these routine exchanges into moments of meaningful connection.
This isn’t about adopting a persona that doesn’t align with who you are. Authenticity is key. The goal is to recognize that greetings and goodbyes are among the most frequent ways we interact with others and to spend some time reflecting on how we can improve these interactions in a way that’s true to ourselves. Whether it’s adding a bit more warmth to your voice, taking a moment to genuinely inquire about someone’s well-being, or crafting a sign-off in your emails that leaves a lasting impression, these small adjustments can have a profound impact.
As Olivia Fox Cabane explains in The Charisma Myth: “Charismatic behavior be broken down into three core elements: presence, power, and warmth.” By starting meetings using a non-traditional response to the question “How are you?” such as “Grateful!,” I can see the difference in my colleague’s faces. Again, the key is using language that is authentic to you.
Implementing this change doesn’t require a committee, budget approval, or a strategic plan. It starts with you. By choosing to enhance the quality of your greetings and goodbyes, you’re taking a critical first step towards shifting the cultural dynamics within your organization. Over time, these individual efforts can aggregate, leading to a more connected, positive, and vibrant workplace culture.
So, I challenge you: the next time you find yourself initiating or concluding a conversation, take an extra 30 seconds to consider how you can make that interaction more meaningful. Your approach to these moments might just be the spark that ignites a broader cultural transformation within your organization.
