Written By Chad Kearns

Published on March 1, 2023

The importance of culture in building organizational health is well documented. 

Executives know about the importance of culture. Most understand it’s essential to drive their organization forward. And thankfully, more and more organizations are getting serious about the investments they make to build healthy work environments that attract and retain great people.

But culture isn’t built with financial investment. 

Culture is shaped by the values, behaviors, and actions of the leaders at the top of the organization. 

And I’m not talking about the written values of the organization that might be plastered on a Zoom call background. I’m talking about the values, behaviors, and attitudes that leaders actually bring to work every day.

How do you actually treat those around you?

What do you actually prioritize?

What do you actually strive for?

The answers to those questions set the course for any organization and subsequently, the culture of an organization.

For better or for worse. 

What Culture are you Building?

Building the right culture for your organization starts by getting clear about what the culture should be. There is no one-size-fits-all culture. 

Have you defined the culture you’re building?

What does it look like? 

What does it feel like? 

Who is it built for?

Who does it keep out?

Does the culture you’re building in your organization align with your true values, motivation, and priorities? 

Leaders Set the Tone

Here’s the truth about building culture in your organization: it starts with you, the leader of the organization.

How you actually treat people and maintain relationships defines the culture. 

What you choose to actually prioritize or don’t prioritize shapes the culture. 

What you actually strive for shapes the culture. 

How you bring yourself to your work will impact who joins, stays, or leaves your organization.

Everyone on your team will look to you to know what is acceptable and what is not. Leaders set the standard and that standard trickles down to everyone below them in the organization.

What culture are you responsible for building?