One common story within my organization deals with relationships and connection building. On my first day of work I had an agenda that consisted mostly of meetings with different managers and executives throughout the building. I was a bit intimidated at first because I was meeting with the entire senior team, and several other managers from other departments.
I entered the office of the first individual who I was meeting with, and he asked me if I wanted to walk the floor and talk or sit in the office. I never really had the opportunity to walk around a 1.8 million square foot building before, so I elected to walk and talk. The walk lasted about an hour, and we covered the entire perimeter of the building within that hour. The meeting went very well, and I seemed much more relaxed and comfortable when I wasn't sitting in a chair, confined to an office. For the other 5 meetings I had that day, I did the same thing. I walked, talked, and got to know some very good people. I soon realized that this was common practice for the organization, and our building was especially fond of the idea that meetings of all kinds should be stress-free and open.
Now that I have worked for the organization for almost a year, I have had the opportunity to walk with new executives and managers who are new to the company and the building. After talking with them, they were also surprised at how meetings were conducted, but it was a pleasant surprise. Everyone agreed that walking around the building, observing different behaviors from employees and watching everyday business while chatting was not only relaxing for both parties, it actually stimulated conversation and enhanced the relationship between the two, and the company knew this. The relationship between peers and senior management in my organization is the closest I have ever seen. Labeling it a big family does not do it justice.
Everyone in the organization shares this same story with family members, new hires, and other members of the organization. It's common for people to talk about "walks" and how they benefit the organization. They help bring to life the "fast, fun, friendly" environment that the organization boasts about.They help peers become close so they earn one another's trust and friendship, so that organizational goals can be met and the work environment becomes inviting, fun, and friendly. The walks have a huge impact on the organization. They promote friendship and collaboration between peers and leadership, they promote creativity, they open lines of communication and make it comfortable for people to discuss almost anything, and most importantly they help build connections. A big part of Target's culture is connecting and building relationships, and this certainly does that.
I entered the office of the first individual who I was meeting with, and he asked me if I wanted to walk the floor and talk or sit in the office. I never really had the opportunity to walk around a 1.8 million square foot building before, so I elected to walk and talk. The walk lasted about an hour, and we covered the entire perimeter of the building within that hour. The meeting went very well, and I seemed much more relaxed and comfortable when I wasn't sitting in a chair, confined to an office. For the other 5 meetings I had that day, I did the same thing. I walked, talked, and got to know some very good people. I soon realized that this was common practice for the organization, and our building was especially fond of the idea that meetings of all kinds should be stress-free and open.
Now that I have worked for the organization for almost a year, I have had the opportunity to walk with new executives and managers who are new to the company and the building. After talking with them, they were also surprised at how meetings were conducted, but it was a pleasant surprise. Everyone agreed that walking around the building, observing different behaviors from employees and watching everyday business while chatting was not only relaxing for both parties, it actually stimulated conversation and enhanced the relationship between the two, and the company knew this. The relationship between peers and senior management in my organization is the closest I have ever seen. Labeling it a big family does not do it justice.
Everyone in the organization shares this same story with family members, new hires, and other members of the organization. It's common for people to talk about "walks" and how they benefit the organization. They help bring to life the "fast, fun, friendly" environment that the organization boasts about.They help peers become close so they earn one another's trust and friendship, so that organizational goals can be met and the work environment becomes inviting, fun, and friendly. The walks have a huge impact on the organization. They promote friendship and collaboration between peers and leadership, they promote creativity, they open lines of communication and make it comfortable for people to discuss almost anything, and most importantly they help build connections. A big part of Target's culture is connecting and building relationships, and this certainly does that.
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