The Culture Crutch

noreply • Jun 15, 2013

Company Culture

It's one of those words that conjures up all sorts of images. I used to think it was a very cool word. I'd picture the cultures in many of the start-up companies I worked with, and then I remembered the high energy, the people learning, and the ability to move or pivot, as they now say, very quickly. Culture was the thing that allowed us to get things done.

Today, after working with many larger and mid-size companies, I find the culture word something that makes me want to throw up. Culture is fun in small companies, and it's used to get work done. But more and more I find that culture in both mid-size and large firms is the thing that everyone uses to STOP CHANGE. Why? Because culture is the excuse used to describe why new things won't work, why things can't get done, or why the company is stuck.

Here's the line I run into ALL THE TIME:

"That would never work here because of our culture."

Then I ask what the culture is, and I don't get much of an answer. That's because culture is sacred, culture is the thing that everyone understands but can't describe, and what I really think is happening is that:

CULTURE IS A CRUTCH

Culture has become an excuse.

So let's quit using the word. As often as possible, and as quickly as feasible, move the dialogue to one about HABITS. Let's talk about the way people work, their habits or their behaviors and then dig into which habits will get in the way of the 'new thing' being successful.

When we talk about habits, we start down a path of success. Most people know that habits can be changed. They think of pets, children, breaking their own bad habits (e.g. smoking). There are ways to change habits, and once the conversation moves in this direction, success is not too far away.

CULTURE IS A CRUTCH

HABITS CAN BE CHANGED

NEW HABITS CAN BE LEARNED

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