Help lead the way

Building a strong organizational culture takes more than message points. It takes an active effort, every day, from every member of our organization. 

Here are a few ways to get started:

1. Actively promote and model the Cultural North Star in your daily actions and interactions. 
   
   
2. Recognize someone for exemplifying the Cultural North Star. Help foster a positive team-oriented culture by filling out a Cultural North Star recognition card (the cards are available online and in display stands campus-wide).  
   
   
3. Start meetings by reading the Cultural North Star and/or highlighting key principles that are relevant to the task at hand. 
   
   
4. Try incorporating the Cultural North Star in team huddles. Each week, establish one purpose statement as that week’s “challenge.” During the weekly huddle, highlight ways in which one or more team members exemplified that purpose statement in their work, actions or interactions. 
   
   
5. When possible, highlight the Cultural North Star throughout the recruitment and professional development process, such as in offers, interviews or awards. For example, the following language could be used in job descriptions or recognition criteria:
   • “Cultural North Star: The shared values of the DGSOM are expressed in the Cultural North Star, which was developed by members of our community and affirms our abiding commitment to doing what’s right, making things better and being kind. These are the standards to which we hold ourselves, and one another. Please read more about this important DGSOM program at medschool.ucla.edu/cultural-north-star.”
     
     
6. Take a Cultural North Star “time out” during crucial conversations or contentious debates. If the conversations takes an unexpected turn, or you’re going in circles, call a time out. A time-out gives you time and space to de-escalate the situation and collect your thoughts. It can often prevent negative outcomes that arise in the heat of the moment. Examples include:
   • “I need time to think about what you’re saying. Can we take a time out and talk about it over coffee tomorrow?”
   • “I’d like to take a short break to consult our Cultural North Star. Would you mind re-convening tomorrow?”
     
     
7. Print and post the Cultural North Star in your workspace and use the Cultural North Star’s marketing resources as a visual reminder of who we are and why we’re here. To request a Cultural North Star lanyard for your DGSOM badge, email culturalnorthstar@mednet.ucla.edu.
   
   
8. Participate in skill-building workshops as they become available. Keep up with our events page for updates.