How Leaders Take Ownership of Culture

Picture this. Every member of your team or organization knew precisely what behaviors were expected of them without worrying about whether they were happening when you weren't there.

However, this isn't just a dream. It's happening in organizations that believe in the power of having a finely manicured Culture Kit.

Maybe you are familiar with Netflix's Culture: Freedom & Responsibility deck, which has been viewed more than 25 million times. But its real power isn't the slide count; it's the clarity it gives to every team member, new or old. 

Or a less popular example from Ruth's Chris, which they internally refer to as "The Sizzle," defining the path to success as "To provide our Guests the best steakhouse experience, period; no excuses."

What's more important than knowing these examples is understanding why a Culture Kit is essential to leaders, teams, and organizations.

Culture Has to Scale

Leaders build this thing called culture. Culture drives behavior, and behavior produces results. That is the physics of performance for every organization or team on the planet.

So the best way to scale the correct behavior across employees with different skillsets and mindsets is to focus on culture. In Acclerate Leadership, I defined culture as "the shared values and beliefs that guide thinking and behavior." 

All great company culture has team members willing to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

A fantastic way to clarify your company culture is by formulating it in one place so it can serve as the blueprint, helping new team members understand what they are signing up for and what veteran team members are continuing to be committed to.

Crafting the Blueprint: Key Elements of a Culture Kit

A Culture Kit is a living, shareable document or deck that translates your purpose, values, and fundamental strategies into observable behaviors and operating principles.

1. Purpose Trifecta (Mission, Vision, Values) - There are three cornerstones necessary to clarify a purpose, what I call the purpose trifecta.  It's made up of mission, vision, and values. These tend to be evergreen and rarely falter. Clarifying these three parts will dramatically increase your odds of building the best team and organization.

2. Foundational Strategies - If the purpose trifecta is the why, the foundational strategies are the how.  It's the foundation for go-to-market strategies and the approach to win.

3. Maximizing Mantra (Annual) - A Maximizing Mantra inspires action and fuels the team with motivation.

4. Business and Market Dynamics - Business and market dynamics change, but providing team members with an overview of the potential market, how the company makes money, and how it came to be is a great way to facilitate foundational education.

The elements of a culture deck are like many food recipes. Some core ingredients should be common, but there is no perfect answer; it is just preferences. You can download the Culture Kit Guidebook for free here.

Who Should Champion the Culture Kit?

Every Culture Kit needs a committee of executive leaders and influencers to help formulate its contents and wrestle the ideas to the ground through healthy conflict. I must admit it's helpful to have an outside coach or consultant to guide and mediate throughout the process, but it's not a requirement. (Shameless plug, if you need help, just reply to this email)

Then it needs champions of a corporate initiative who take ownership of turning an idea into reality. You can think of them as leaders who:

• Influence - Make something successful by embedding it into the hearts and minds of team members.

• Evangelize - Build excitement, explaining "why, "navigating office politics, and handling naysayers.

• Model - Use the tool and live the behaviors the initiative promotes.

• Transfer - Recruit new owners and involve others to carry it forward.

What You Should Do If You Don't Make These Kinds of Decisions

It's possible that you aren't able to make decisions like having or creating a Culture Kit.  However, it doesn't mean you can't do something about it. This same approach can be created for a team or department inside a larger organization. There is a good chance the core value behaviors of your team might be different than those of another one in the company.

Closing

Having every team member know precisely what behaviors are expected of them without worrying about whether they happen when you aren't there shouldn't be a dream; it can be a reality. Model what some of the best leaders and organizations do by developing your own Culture Kit.

Remember, culture is the shared values and beliefs that guide thinking and behavior.  Whether you like it or not, it exists within your company or team. You might as well show some leadership and take ownership of the culture you intentionally create.

Use your gifts,

John Eades

CEO | LearnLoft | The Sales Infrastructure

P.S. Beginning today, we are offering a free 60-minute workshop for organizations. We’re talking real workshops delivered by me to leaders in your organization around:

• Coaching for Excellence

• Talent Evaluation

• Accountability and Difficult Conversations

• AI Enhanced Leadership

If you believe this could be a good fit for your organization, please complete the form here.

P.S.S. I am writing this from a coffee shop in New York City. I am on Spring Break with my family. Last night we went to see MJ on Broadway. I can’t recommend it enough, it was a magical night. I have included a picture at the bottom of this newsletter.

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The Optimistic Outlook is now available wherever you listen to podcasts. Channel your inner John Eades and make your kids listen to it, then read it aloud to work on their minds and communication skills.

The Type of Talent Every Winning Team Needs (Video)

In this episode of The John Eades Podcast, John shares the story of Golden State Warrior Draymond Green and his powerful praise for rookie Trace Jackson-Davis — not for a stat line, but for his selflessness. John introduces a simple but powerful framework called the Talent Cross Model, helping leaders identify the type of talent that elevates teams — and the kind that silently drags them down.

When You or Your Company is Ready, Here Are Some Ways We Could Partner:

1. Free Workshop: Book a free 60-minute skill mastery workshop for managers in your organization or a culture workshop for your executive team.

2. Accelerate Leadership System: Save your HR or executive team time, energy, and effort while transforming managers into effective leaders. This comprehensive program includes virtual or in-person instructor-led training, a Leadership Growth Plan, and group coaching to ensure real-world mastery.

3. Executive Coaching: Work 1-on-1 with me or one of our certified coaches to achieve your goals, strengthen critical skills, and address your most pressing challenges. This 6-month program focuses on mindset and execution for tangible, lasting outcomes.

4. Catalyst for Growth: Invest in your high-potential talent. This personal and professional development program boosts retention, performance, and leadership skills—ultimately creating a pipeline of future leaders.
   

That’s It For Today!