High performing companies build strategies that harness their cultural strengths. Here’s how to create that alignment:
- Understand your current culture. Discover how your organization really works through employee surveys and team conversations. Look for places where daily behaviors match your stated values — these are your cultural strengths. Where they differ, you’ve found opportunities for gradual evolution. Focus on shifting a few key behaviors that matter most to your strategy.
- Connect strategy and culture. Map each strategic initiative against your cultural landscape. Identify where your culture will power your strategy forward and where it might create friction. Use this insight to either adapt your strategy or strengthen specific cultural elements. For example, if you need innovation but see caution, start by creating safe spaces for experimentation in one area. Share stories of success to build momentum.
- Activate your culture leaders. Find the natural influencers in your organization — those trusted colleagues who successfully translate strategy into action, and who others look to for cues about “how we do things here.” Bring these informal leaders into strategy discussions early. Support them in modeling the behaviors your strategy needs. Their authentic endorsement will inspire others to embrace change.
Culture evolves through consistent action over time. When you align strategy with culture, both become stronger.
How well are your strategies aligned with your culture?