Have you ever thought of your organization as resembling a human microbiome? You’d be surprised at the many similarities the two share.
When you shake hands at a business meeting, millions of microbes leap from your hand to the other person’s. When you talk with colleagues over lunch, bacteria from your microbiome are transmitted to them. We are in a state of perpetual exchange with other individuals and our environment—whether we realize it or not, we have the power to influence the microbiome of everyone around us.
In a business environment, everyone impacts their team and organization through their choices and behaviors. When an employee prioritizes their own needs and doesn’t consider others, this has a negative impact on the work culture and business results. In contrast, when an individual is mindful of their actions and is considerate of their team, they enrich and improve the environment to everyone’s benefit.