CULTURE SIMPLIFIED – MentalNotes

Culture isn't defined at an off-site retreat.

Culture is defined in the heat of battle.

"Culture" is how a company behaves under stress.

You don't really know someone (or company) until you watch them under stress.

Every company has two cultures - 1.) the one they say they have; and 2.) the one they really have.

*THE "WHAT THEY SAY"* CULTURE**	*THE "WHAT THEY HAVE"* CULTURE**
Conceived at off-site retreats	Emerges during heat of battle
Based on aspirational values - ex. "integrity", "respect", "honesty", "diversity", etc.	Based on learned behaviors - ex. "this is how things get done here"
Endorsed by senior executives	Endorsed by middle management
Way to position company, promote brand and recruit employees	Way to solve problems, deal w/setbacks, address underperformance
Learned through interviews, web site and company events	Learned through daily observation and experience
Comfortable to discuss	Uncomfortable to discuss
Gives people reason to join 😀	Gives people reason to leave 😟

KEY POINTS

Culture is the reflection of management's shared beliefs.
These beliefs influence management's decisions, priorities and actions ("behaviors").
Problems, setbacks and poor performance trigger the most visible management behaviors.
Employees respond to management's most visible behaviors.
The collective response of employees to management behaviors is "culture".