Creating a Positive Workplace Culture: Lessons from Pike Place Fish
Picture this: the bustling streets of Seattle's Pike Place Market, filled with the savory smell of fresh seafood and the lively sounds of the fishmongers. In the midst of it all, there's a man with a powerful vision - John Yokoyama, the owner of Pike Place Fish. Yokoyama and his team have transformed their fish stand into a world-famous destination, where customers come from all over to witness the lively spectacle of fish being thrown and to taste some of the freshest fish in the country.
But the road to success wasn't always smooth sailing for Yokoyama. Like many, he started off with a strict and closed-minded management style. But Yokoyama knew that something had to change - he recognized the impact of negative attitudes on his crew and made a conscious decision to make an attitude change and take a personal interest in his employees and their well-being.
When Fish Fly by John Yokoyama and Joseph Michelli is a great book. It tells the story of how John Yokoyama transformed his business, the Pike Place Fish Market, by changing his attitude and approach to his employees. By respecting his employees as individuals and listening to their ideas, he created a positive, energized workplace where everyone was committed to a common goal. Here are some key takeaways from the book that can help you build a better team:
Change Yourself First
If you want to change your business, you need to change yourself first. This means letting go of your preconceived opinions about your employees, listening to their ideas, and treating them with respect. Be open to new ideas, and realize that everyone has something to contribute. To make a difference in the world, develop a great big idea. With a mighty idea, you can do fine things.
Create a Vision
To create a vital, energized workplace, you need to create a powerful purpose for you and your staff. Put it into words, share it, and invite employees to contribute ideas to make this purpose even greater and more personally applicable to everyone involved. Know what you stand for and what you want to do. This matters in terms of your business and in the overall scope of your life.
Create a Safe Environment
Establish a workplace where employees can share their thoughts, opinions, and ideas. This evolution will require people to think differently, be open, and develop new communication skills, such as active listening. During this time of trial and error, teach staff members to listen and accept responsibility. Do not place blame or presume to know a speaker’s unspoken intentions.
Become a Change Agent
Live this new vision every day in every decision. Employees learn more from what you do than what you say. You need to become a change agent, not just for yourself but for your team as well.
Introduce Coaching
Teach employees how to coach each other. Invite them to coach you, as you coach them. Learn from one another. Help employees understand the purpose of the ongoing coaching process, which is to allow everyone to develop to a higher level. Coach employees to turn challenges into breakthroughs.
Choose Your Attitude
You can change the conversations you have with yourself. Teach the concept of choosing your attitudes. This will help your team members to have a positive outlook and to be more effective communicators.
These practices have not only made Pike Place Fish a world-famous destination, but they have also created a vibrant and energized workplace culture. As Yokoyama says, “Anyone can sell fish - few can make a world-famous difference while doing it.”
The main ideas in this book can be summarized as follows:
Everyone has potential and valuable ideas, so embrace every team member’s unique qualities.
Want to make your business succeed? Start by transforming yourself first.
Provide a safe and welcoming environment for your employees to express their thoughts and feedback without fear of judgment or reprisal.
Speak with your team in ways that inspire and uplift them, not in ways that hold them back or discourage them.
Create a powerful and inspiring purpose for your business that goes beyond just making money.
Live your vision and make sure your team lives this vision as well. Vision is not just words, it’s your values that your project every day.
Not everybody is going to fit in your team, and that’s OK. Sometimes potential employees need a chance to experience your business before committing, so they can decide if your vision and your values are a good fit for them.
Your intentions shape your actions, so make sure your goals are clear and positive. Make sure that the team agrees with your company’s goals.
Focus on "being" the person you want to be, and your actions will naturally follow suit.
Empowering your employees leads to greater success for your business, far beyond what you may have imagined.
