6. Truth #5: Culture has always been about performance.

This is part 5 of a 5-part series on what it means to lead thru values.

In its simplest form, culture is defined as, “How we want to get work done around here.”

Cultural attributes that influence a company’s performance include:

• Constant improvement
• Risk tolerance
• Opportunistic
• Solutions
• Leadership development
• Hiring processes & hiring decisions
• How information is communicated
• How tribal knowledge is shared

Put each of the above attributes through the “how we want to get work done ‘filter’…”

• We are driven to constantly improve.
• We view risk as a necessary element for growth (or, We are serious about taking risk out of your future.)
• Our entrepreneurial spirit creates unlimited opportunities for our people.
• We think with the end in mind; we’re always working to solve challenging problems.
• We believe in developing leaders from within.
• We will never compromise our hiring process as it’s an integral strategy for our growth.
• We believe in sharing vital company information to everyone.
• We believe in the power of mentoring and passing on tribal knowledge. 

Each of these have significant impacts on performance, and how the process might look.

When you have a strong value system as part of your culture, your profits increase, you’re more innovative, you’re able capitalize on opportunities… and your brand becomes more ‘human.’