Does the Patio Match the Inside?

Last weekend, we went to brunch at a restaurant that we had walked by countless times and finally decided to stop at. We sat outside on the brown and white bistro chairs, pulled up to a small square table. Specials for the day were written on a chalkboard nearby. The vibe on the front patio was light and low-key.

I was surprised when I stepped inside to find the vibe to be dark and moody. . . very different than the energy of the front patio.

There was nothing wrong with the inside of the restaurant.

However, the interior of the restaurant didn't seem to match the outside patio.

It felt slightly confusing.

As I walked back outside, I couldn't help but think about the feedback we've been getting from a team we are working with in the healthcare space, which is that the organization values employees just as much as they value patients.

 This creates not only a cohesive patient experience, but a cohesive employee experience as well. Several team members commented that feeling cared for at work helped them to better care for patients. 

In their case, the inside and the outside match. 

As leaders, we might consider this same idea —

Does the metaphorical outdoor patio match the interior of the restaurant?

And, more specifically, are we working to uphold the same values both internally, and externally? 

Reflections

• Do I feel like my values are consistent across various dimensions of my work and life?

• Are there any areas where we are upholding certain values or expectations for team members, but not for clients? 

• Or, are there areas where we are upholding certain values for clients but not internally?

• Do the internal and external aspects of our organization match?