A Cultural Gesture?

Nothing sends a clearer message about a company’s culture than the actions of its front line employees. It’s frustrating for company leaders when individual team members make rash or tactless decisions that put not only the team member in a bad position, but the company as well:

Tennessee Titan’s coach Jeff Fisher said on Monday that receiver Kenny Britt could face further disciplinary action for his alleged involvement in a bar brawl last week. “Sitting Kenny down and taking disciplinary action from a club standpoint is still a realistic possibility,’’ Fisher said.- Tennessean.com

Creating and nurturing a corporate culture that influences team member action in a positive way, helps identify recruits that would be a good fit and eventually becomes respected and protected by all is difficult:

It might not be a shocker to most people that the Titans are among the league leaders in penalties. When it comes to the 15-yarders the Titans get the most in the NFL as of yesterday… This team just has no discipline, and most of that can be put on the shoulders of the coaching staff. Jeff Fisher has to get this team under control and stop all of the stupid penalties. - Bleacher Report

But sometimes trying to fix the issues influencing a poor corporate culture aren’t easily identifiable. Perhaps the team members on the front line are just modeling the behavior of their supervisors:

The NFL fined Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil $40,000 Monday for his obscene gesture at game officials. The league said Cecil violated a rule that prohibits use of abusive, threatening or insulting language or gestures to game officials. – ESPN

Then again, maybe all that’s necessary is for the company leader to look in the mirror:

The NFL has fined Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams $250,000 for making an obscene gesture at Buffalo fans while celebrating Tennessee’s victory over the Bills. Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Adams of the fine Monday. League spokesman Greg Aiello said it is for conduct detrimental to the NFL. Adams was seen making the gesture while in his luxury suite and again on the field after Sunday’s 41-17 victory. – ESPN