Values Problem
Culture Isn’t Said. It’s Shown.
Ever notice how culture isn’t what leaders declare in meetings, but what people whisper in the hallways?
You can hang values on the wall. You can say all the right words in the town hall. But if behavior doesn’t back it up — the culture people experience every day tells the real story.
Elite leaders don’t confuse slogans with standards
. They live them. They show them in the way they coach, in the way they hold people accountable, and in the way they celebrate small wins when actions align with values.
That’s the message behind this week’s focus: culture isn’t built on talk — it’s built on action.
1. When Words and Actions Don’t Match
Nothing erodes trust faster than leaders who say one thing and do another. Preach collaboration but reward individual heroics? People will chase the rewards, not the rhetoric.
This gap between what’s said and what’s done fractures teams. Instead of unity, you get skepticism. Instead of accountability, you get excuses.
2. Standards Over Slogans
Real culture comes alive when standards drive behavior. Elite teams are disciplined in the small things: how they prepare, how they communicate, how they respond to setbacks.
Consistency matters. When standards are upheld daily — not occasionally, not only when it’s convenient — culture becomes something people can count on, not just something they hear about.
3. Celebrate What You Want Repeated
Great leaders don’t wait for big wins to celebrate. They call out the everyday moments when someone’s behavior matches the team’s values.
The teammate who owns a mistake and fixes it.
The employee who puts team success over personal recognition.
The manager who models discipline in how they prepare.
These micro-celebrations compound. They teach the team: This is what we value. This is who we are.
Three Actions to Take Today
Audit Your Culture – Ask yourself: what do people see me value in action, not just in words?
Reinforce Standards – Pick one non-negotiable standard this week and model it relentlessly.
Catch Someone Doing It Right – Celebrate an action that reflects your stated values. Small wins build strong culture.
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