Why The Company Culture Might Be At Odds With Your Values

I want to work at a company with a good values-based company culture. These are the words that most job seekers either think or outright say. What does a strong company culture look, feel, and sound like? Would you know it when you see or experience it?

Companies boldly try to articulate their company culture through their mission statement. Every word and comma is agonized over. Oftentimes, companies hire outside consultants to help wordsmith every delicate word. But mission statements are meaningless if people don’t act out what the words state. Consider how these actions conflict with stated values:

Value: We are serious about work-life balance.

Reality: Meetings are held off hours, or company retreats are held on weekends.

Value: We value diversity and inclusion.

Reality: Events or meetings are held on Yom Kippur (a major Jewish holiday) or Good Friday.

Value: We are a family-friendly organization.

Reality: Major events are held during spring breaks when employees with school-aged children take vacations to align with their children’s school closure.

Value: We are a team and help each other out.

Reality: Everyone eats at their desk instead of together, office doors are perpetually closed, and colleagues doesn’t ask for or offer help.

Value: We are a sustainable company.

Reality: Single-use cups, utensils, and water bottles are used at every meeting and in every breakroom. If people’s actions do not align with the stated words, the company culture is at odds, and the people who represent it are often not trusted.

So how does one build a company culture which aligns with values through everyday actions?

The book, The Success Factor, shares the story of nine-time NBA champion Steve Kerr, currently the coach of the Golden State Warriors. “Basketball should be fun” is one of his core values. As such, every practice is filled with music playing through the speakers, and the players’ birthdays are celebrated with montages and lots of cheer. Coach Kerr lives out his values and inculcates them into the Warriors’ culture. However, he doesn’t just say basketball should be fun; he lives it every day and he makes sure his players do too.

Linkedin Learning has decided to tackle this challenge by unlocking some of its courses on enhancing and aligning company culture. The following courses are free until June 9th:

Navigating Environmental Sustainability: A Guide for Leaders

Coach Your Team to Learn, Stretch, and Grow

Moving DEI from Intention to Impact

Be the Manager People Won’t Leave

Moving Past Change Fatigue to the Growth Edge

According to marketing expert Dr. Marcus Collins, author of the book, For the Culture, “Culture is a realized meaning-making system. It is anchored in our identity and shaped by our worldview, which subsequently influences what we do.”

While values and company culture may not always perfectly align, it is critical for organizations to prioritize both to create a positive and productive workplace with high retention levels. Open communication, transparency, ongoing feedback and evaluation, and living out the stated company values will help in this endeavor. Additionally, by actively working to bridge the divide between culture and values, organizations can create a palpable sense of community, and see greater employee loyalty, and improved productivity and success.