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OPINION
Cultivating company culture
Define and nurture a strong company culture by articulating a concise core purpose, aligning actions with values, and embracing consistency.
I love sourdough bread. The scent when you cut into a loaf and the tangy flavor can make me giddy. You probably know that those qualities come from the starter used to make the bread. Regardless of whether someone gives you the starter or you make your own, it’s essential for that perfect loaf. And they take work, because starters require feeding and attention to continue to grow.
Brad Thurman, PE, FSMPS, CPSM
The wonder about these starters is that they’re alive. They’re home to a community of bacteria and yeast microbes, fermenting the flour carbohydrates and producing carbon dioxide. Their labor makes the bread rise and gives it that wonderful tang. That base culture is essential to the baker’s success, but it results from intentional acts of care and attention. It doesn’t happen by accident. Companies are like sourdough: The secret to success is creating and nurturing a great culture. My experience – and that of our firm – is you get to the heart of your company’s culture by first defining your core purpose. It’s why you do what you do, your shared purpose for being. That should be easy to state, but it takes real soul-searching to flesh out.
When you hit it, though, you’ll know it. It will resonate with you and with your firm. But how do you transfer that to everyone in the company? How do you keep it alive? Here are some thoughts: ■ Be clear. It’s critical to concisely articulate your core purpose and the values, processes, and behaviors your company uses in that pursuit. Share that information with everyone, then share it again and again. The essence of your purpose and values should be simple enough for every employee to be able to recite them. Please don’t
See BRAD THURMAN, page 10
THE ZWEIG LETTER JANUARY 8, 2024, ISSUE 1519
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