There is a running joke that ‘company values’ has become a pretty predictable set of four or five words like ‘integrity’ or ‘accountability’. The joke continues that these words come out of an intense, collaborative process - are put in the company deck and hung on the wall and never, ever spoken of again.

And it’s hard to argue with that in so many cases. But surely ‘culture’ is stronger? And hungrier, because it eats strategy for breakfast you know. And ‘diversity’ - no one is going to mess with that or risk being cancelled.

But what is happening on the ground?

Is the ‘open and trusting’ culture evident in the orchestrated events like pride day or the annual bake-off? Or is it defined by the senior VP who joins the call late, never makes eye contact and growls at any delays. Is the company open to all diversity around race, religion or gender - but not at all tolerant of open questioning of leadership? What happens when the chips are down - does everyone look the other way when someone is pushed out of the business by someone with an axe to grind?

When the culture is to ‘move fast and break things’ - what is actually getting broken?

..and of course, some organizations get it complete right.

We’re keen to hear the stories.

Let us know,