Cold organizations are like frozen soil – nothing will grow in them, no matter how much fertilizer you use. Warm organizations are more accepting of change. They are more hopeful and more successful. In a warm organization there is open communication, team work, and balance.

The good news is that, unlike the weather outside, leaders can and do have an affect on the weather inside their organizations. Through good leadership and the hard work of inspiring a shared vision, building trust, empowering others, and modeling the way, leaders can actually “WARM UP” their organizations and prepare them for change.

Where does your organization fall on this continuum? You can get a pretty good measurement by using the Warmth Surveys for Elders, Families and Employees to do a cultural assessment of your organization. Just print the surveys from links below.

You can do your own analysis, or the Texas Long Term Care Institute at Texas State University - San Marcos will perform a professional analysis for you. This complete analysis will not only show you where you lie on the continuum, but also give you feedback on how to bring more warmth into your organization. Over time, you can track and trend your own journey. For $1.00 per survey submitted, the TLTCI will send you a complete analysis. For more information contact Sandy Ransom at ransom@txstate.edu.