Culture – what it really means
In this podcast there’s practical advice for every kind of business; from the leadership team of a listed company, to a startup looking to scale, and everything in between.
Joel Levy, co-founder of culture change advisors, Leonardo Advisory is today’s guest, talking to Waypoint partner, Phil Gripton. Joel is a trained psychotherapist and this, combined with his firm’s psychodynamic approach, allows him to offer a full and nuanced understanding of corporate culture.
Culture is a “slippery fish” that is hard to pin down. Joel explains that it’s “how we really do things around here” rather than “how we say we do things”. Think of it like an iceberg, where the important bit lies beneath the surface. What’s going on at this level is largely unacknowledged but it can sit at the root of a company culture and how to understand it properly and therefore to effect positive change. Bringing it to the surface in a controlled way is a vital part in tackling what might be impacting company performance.
Why culture is so key to success and why it needs to be measured
Leaders know they need to take culture seriously, but they find it hard to do.
Financials tend to get more focus because they are much easier to read and manage.
Culture is elusive, difficult and messy. And that’s because it’s fundamentally all about people. People are tricky – they have emotions and egos, covering shame, guilt, insecurity and much more.
But Joel and his team are witnessing a definite sea change among boards who are increasingly aware that a positive culture can also contribute to financial success. Increasingly they are factoring in an annual audit of their culture, a proper MOT, even when there are no specific issues to address. It’s seen as good practice, staying ahead of the game.
For more invaluable insight from someone who’s an expert in his field, listen to this fascinating episode of Waypointers.