Jun

29

How leaders shape an organisation’s culture

Filed Under Organisational Leadership 

When Jason Fried from 37signals was asked "How did you create the culture at 37signals?” he answered as follows:

"You don’t create a culture. Culture happens. It’s the by-product of consistent behavior. If you encourage people to share, and you give them the freedom to share, then sharing will be built into your culture. If you reward trust then trust will be built into your culture.

Artificial

Artificial cultures are instant. They’re big bangs made of mission statements, declarations, and rules. They are obvious, ugly, and plastic. Artificial culture is paint.

Real

Real cultures are built over time. They’re the result of action, reaction, and truth. They are nuanced, beautiful, and authentic. Real culture is patina.

Don’t think about how to create a culture, just do the right things for you, your customers, and your team and it’ll happen."

Whilst I agree with Jason’s view, that a) culture takes time to develop and b) the culture is a by-product of consistent behaviour, culture doesn’t "just happen". Culture is the shadow of the leader. If Jason means that culture just happens, if you have the right leadership, then I support his view, and perhaps that is what he is say. The with the right leadership… culture just happens! Organisations that set out to create or build a culture, without changing the leadership behaviours, results in what Jason refers to as artificial cultures.

In the end, culture determines who’s in and who’s out…. Once you have the right leadership in place … then … culture just happens.

  • Are you purposefully acting to develop your organisation’s culture?
  • Do you have the right leadership in place?
  • Are you hiring and promoting people who reinforce the culture you’re trying to develop?

 

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One Response to “How leaders shape an organisation’s culture”

  1. Phil on July 7th, 2008 0:53

    I like Hal Rosenbluth’s philosophy spelt out in his book: The Customer Come Second. We’ve put some quotes from it in our article:What Makes a Happy Company

    For example: ““Care about your people and they will care about your business. Forget that and watch profits go down the drain.”

    Far too many managers say these things without really meaning them. Rosenbluth was definitely a leader who purposely shaped culture.

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