Culture is not an initiative

Different people’s interpretations of culture and its purpose always intrigue me.

Recently, I was asked to design approaches to build an Apple-like culture for a client because “𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦”.

This isn’t unusual.

Many leaders, managers and business owners approach employee engagement and cultural change end-on; starting with the activities you see first.

You see what looks like a great culture and want to emulate.

“𝘞𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺” is a noble cause. But it’s not the driver of cultural change; it’s a potential outcome.

How does this outcome align with your purpose, strategy and vision and what initiatives are then required?

Culture is not an initiative. It’s the enabler of all other initiatives.