A high-performing culture is the foundation of success for all businesses. However, culture doesn’t happen by accident—it must be carefully curated and consistently maintained. Today, Dave Anderson, leadership expert and LearnToLead founder, introduces the latest installment of the Lessons in Leadership series: the traits of a high-performing business culture.
Building a strong culture is an ongoing commitment, much like tending a garden: it needs to be weeded, seeded, fertilized and protected to grow. Neglect it for too long, and it can quickly become overrun with weeds and disease.
A thriving culture doesn’t emerge by chance. It’s intentional from day one, extending to daily actions and decisions. There are 21 traits commonly found in businesses with a high-performing culture.
The first trait is selective and intentional hiring. Companies with rigorous hiring processes treat interviews as an elimination process rather than an inclusive one. They understand that the best time to “fire” an employee is before they’re ever hired. One bad hire can singlehandedly undermine a company’s culture, make coworkers’ jobs more difficult and erode morale. A selective process is a protective process that safeguards the company’s culture.
"Culture is your foundation. If it develops cracks and holes and shifts on the sand from the stone, you're not going to be able to build very high."
Anderson recommends that all leaders ask themselves: “How easy is it to get hired here?” Leaders who extend employment opportunities too easily often rely on casual conversational interviews. In such settings, a friendly demeanor or pleasant conversation can mask gaps in skill or fit, making it insufficient for assessing a candidate’s true capabilities.
Instead, Anderson advises adopting a formal, rigorous interview process. It allows leaders to objectively evaluate candidates and determine whether they’re genuinely the best fit for the company.
A selective interview process is protective because a single bad hire can single-handedly compromise an organization’s hard-earned culture. When leaders are intentional in their hiring decisions, they are actively shaping their culture, ensuring it remains strong and aligned with the long-term vision.
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