Earlier this week I had the privilege of participating in a Twitter Chat as part of Steelcase’s 100 Dreams project, the company’s inspirational year-long anniversary project. We were pleased to see that our conversation reached an audience of more than 80,000.
It was meaningful to share ideas for the next 100 years as part of Steelcase’s anniversary project. But the live online chat yesterday also gave me the opportunity to reflect further on how Steelcase’s values map to my own beliefs on culture and leadership.
Steelcase is committed to scaling its values and being intentional about forging deep connections in this interconnected and interdependent world. Through their innovative use of space and design, Steelcase fosters an environment where employees can express their full character and creativity and meaningfully interact. I know this to be the case since my company LRN is furnished with Steelcase’s office furniture products.
The 6th century Greek philosopher Heraclitus wrote that “Character is fate”. What character is to the individual, culture is to the organization. Steelcase creates the freedom from closed doors and walled offices and the freedom to create open spaces and expansive offices where employees have the freedom to dream, innovate and collaborate in pursuit of a shared values and mission.
Steelcase is a unique company. It is a special honor for me therefore to be part of 100 Dreams.