It is about the way things are done and the way people interact with each other. It’s about the unwritten rules, attitudes, and behaviours in an organization. 

The scariest part: We either define our culture or are defined by it. 

Think about the cultural differences between Tim Hortons versus Starbucks. What do their environments look like; furniture, decor, colours, background music? As a result, who are their typical customers?  

We can say we want to be something, but if our environments, resources, and energies aren’t continually and actively supporting it, guarding it, and casting it, it won’t happen despite our “best intentions.”

This is why culture always trumps strategy and vision.