As we explore the various value elements of your business, this week, we will focus on your culture. Last week, we looked at the people value aspect in your business. A critical extension of the people is the culture in which they exist within your business. A vibrant culture stimulates greater contribution. A lackluster culture drags people down, leading to turnover, mistakes, and stagnation, which in turn lead to a downturn in business success.
There is a saying from the 1989 movie Field of Dreams: “If you build it, they will come.” Where an Iowa farmer turns a corn pasture into a baseball diamond. Many of the people around him thought he was crazy. He pursued his dream, and eventually, people did show up, and the field of dreams came to fruition.
Unlike other business leaders, some on your team might think you are crazy. Some of them just can’t relate to the way leaders might view various situations, as they have never walked in those shoes. As a result, it is critical that you value your culture as a platform, framework, and foundation for attracting the best possible talent, customers, and vendors to your organization.
Your culture starts with living by your organization’s Purpose, Core Values, and Core Principles as the foundation and framework for how every day is lived throughout your organization. This pathway to growth and success needs guardrails to keep it aligned with the vision and future as articulated by leadership. Your culture framework is the one aspect of your organization’s strength that cannot be debated or discussed. It must be as solid as bedrock to build your business upon.
Many organizations have taken time to craft vision and mission statements that depict where they want to go and some of the steps to get there. Preceding and taking paramount precedence over the direction is the why and how your organization operates in the marketplace. When the culture is ever flowing in each and every decision, transaction, and interface, then what you do just happens. It is not a burden to achieve objectives. It becomes the reason the organization works together and contributes.
This week, be ruthlessly honest with your organization’s culture. Is it vibrant, and are your people living it daily? Does your culture influence the way relationships make things happen? If a third-party leader were to visit your business, would they see it the same way you are currently viewing it?
Looking to get an independent view of your organization’s culture and how it is either contributing to or detracting from your organization’s value? Give a JKL Associates Promise Guide a call and let’s have a conversation – FL (407) 984-7246 or MI (313) 527-7945.
Journey On!
COPYRIGHT – JKL ASSOCIATES 2026
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS – EMAIL US AT PARTNERS@JKLASSOCIATES.COM OR CALL OUR OFFICES – MI AT (313) 527-7945 FL AT (407) 984-7246
Celebrating 30 years of Delivering on “Promises”
