Rita Marcon
General Manager, Kao’s Salon Division, Australia and New Zealand
Rita Marcon, General Manager of Kao’s Salon Division, Australia and New Zealand, engaged Culture Conscious for a series of programs with the intention of unlocking her team’s full potential. The results were transformative, leading to significant growth both individually and collectively. Rita’s team increased their self-awareness, developed deeper and more meaningful communication, and became more effective and engaged collaborators.
Core Impact of Culture Conscious Programs
The Culture Conscious programs, starting with Enneagram Essentials, had a profound impact on Rita’s team by increasing their self-awareness and understanding of each other’s unique motivations and strengths. With heightened awareness, team members communicate more thoughtfully, supporting one another more effectively. “The biggest day to day change has been patience in communication. People have more curiosity in asking questions, there is more listening, and more respect for each other,” said Rita. This shift in behavior allowed for stronger collaboration, better leveraging of individual strengths, and more cohesive team dynamics. Importantly, the programs also encouraged vulnerability and built the confidence needed to share openly in a supportive environment.
Enhanced Decision-Making Process
One of the key takeaways from the Culture Conscious engagement was an improvement in how decisions were made within the team. “We used to be in a ‘doing’ mode, but have learned that pausing first to leverage our collective strengths has allowed us to make better decisions and actually go faster,” Rita explained. The programs encouraged the team to develop a culture of thoughtfulness and deeper analysis before acting. Rita also introduced pre-work before important meetings as a tool to allow all team members to contribute at their own pace. This practice led to more inclusive meetings where the quieter voices were heard, resulting in more balanced and well-informed decisions.
Development of the Team Archetype
The creation of a team archetype as part of the Team Essentials program allowed the team to gain valuable insights into their blind spots. By recognizing these areas, they were able to evaluate their current results more critically. Rita shared, “The archetype work made us stop and recognize some of the patterns that weren’t serving us.” The process helped them reflect on their outcomes and make intentional adjustments to reach their desired goals. The team felt more empowered to take action and make necessary changes to create the results they truly wanted.
Conclusion
Rita’s journey with Culture Conscious has been transformative for her and her team. From improved communication and self-awareness to enhanced decision-making and team effectiveness, the programs have led to lasting growth. By focusing on personal and collective development, Rita’s team is now better equipped to navigate challenges, enable collaboration, and achieve their goals with greater clarity and purpose. As a testament to the transformative impact, the broader leadership team has decided to roll these programs out to the wider organization with the intent of paving the way for the entire company to see similar benefits.