Start by Thinking About the Dilemmas Your People Will Face

The Importance of Cultural Alignment

At the beginning of my career, I worked for the health-care-software specialist HBOC. One day, a woman from human resources came into the cafeteria with a roll of tape and began sticking posters on the walls. They proclaimed in royal blue the company’s values: “Transparency, Respect, Integrity, Honesty.” The next day we received wallet-sized plastic cards with the same words and were asked to memorize them so that we could incorporate them into our actions.

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Cultural Alignment

But as it turned out, the company’s values were not as they seemed. The following year, when management was indicted on 17 counts of conspiracy and fraud, we learned what the company’s values really were. This experience taught me a valuable lesson: that cultural alignment is not just about posting values on the wall, but about creating a culture that truly reflects those values.

Start by Thinking About the Dilemmas Your People Will Face

To create a culture that truly reflects your values, you need to start by thinking about the dilemmas your people will face. What are the tough decisions they will have to make? What are the conflicts they will encounter? What are the temptations they will face? By understanding these dilemmas, you can create a culture that prepares your people to make the right decisions, even when it’s hard.

Creating a Culture of Transparency

For example, let’s say your company values transparency. But what does that really mean? Does it mean that your people should always tell the truth, even if it’s hard? Does it mean that they should always be open and honest, even if it’s uncomfortable? By thinking about the dilemmas your people will face, you can create a culture that encourages transparency, even when it’s difficult.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cultural alignment is not just about posting values on the wall, but about creating a culture that truly reflects those values. To create a culture that truly reflects your values, you need to start by thinking about the dilemmas your people will face. By understanding these dilemmas, you can create a culture that prepares your people to make the right decisions, even when it’s hard.

FAQs

Q: How can I create a culture that truly reflects my company’s values?
A: Start by thinking about the dilemmas your people will face. What are the tough decisions they will have to make? What are the conflicts they will encounter? What are the temptations they will face? By understanding these dilemmas, you can create a culture that prepares your people to make the right decisions, even when it’s hard.

Q: What are some examples of dilemmas my people may face?
A: Some examples of dilemmas your people may face include: what to do when a customer is unhappy, how to handle a conflict with a colleague, or whether to prioritize a project over another. By thinking about these dilemmas, you can create a culture that prepares your people to make the right decisions.

Q: How can I ensure that my company’s values are truly reflected in our culture?
A: To ensure that your company’s values are truly reflected in your culture, you need to create a culture that encourages transparency, respect, integrity, and honesty. This means creating a culture that prepares your people to make the right decisions, even when it’s hard.