What the place is actually like.
WHAT CULTURE IS
How people actually behave, particularly when nobody is watching.
WHAT IT IS NOT
Stated values on a wall.
WHAT SHAPES IT
What leaders do What is rewarded What is tolerated Who is promoted
WHY TOLERANCE MATTERS MOST
The worst behaviour permitted becomes the standard.
WHAT TO ADDRESS
Behaviour that contradicts what you claim to value.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO NOT
Stated values become a source of cynicism.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH EXPLICITLY
How people treat each other How disagreement happens How mistakes are handled What is expected about hours and availability
WHY THAT LAST ONE
Unstated expectations default to always available.
WHAT TO MODEL
Whatever you expect.
WHY
People follow behaviour, not instruction.
WHAT DESTROYS CULTURE QUICKLY
Favouritism Broken commitments Punishing honesty Promoting people who behave badly but produce results
WHY THAT LAST ONE IS SO DAMAGING
It tells everyone what actually matters.
WHAT TO MEASURE
Whether people stay Whether they raise problems Whether they recommend the place to others
WHAT TO ASK PERIODICALLY
What is difficult about working here.
WHAT TO DO WITH THE ANSWERS
Act on some, and say what you did.
WHY
Asking and ignoring is worse than not asking.
