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Culture is Born, not Declared

The thing about company culture is that it doesn’t make it happen by stating you have one. The culture we belong to has to do with our tribe (and I mean by that our close friends and associates), our background and history and the way we were raised.

In the same way that who we are as individuals takes a while to shake out—and actually changes over time—the same is true of business. Do you trust your boss, like your workmates, leave for work with a smile and hope to stay there for a while? If so, your company earned that over the years you worked there.

Or…

…do you watch the clock, hungering for it to be the end of the day, drop everything at quitting time and bolt for the door, as well as pry yourself out of bed on a workday? It may say “We Appreciate What You Do” over the door, but it’s stated, not earned.

You won’t be there for long and neither will the person who replaces you.

What your company stands for is best understood when you look at the rates of turnover.

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