Culture Is What You Do

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Culture isn’t a poster on the wall; it’s the behavior people feel every day. We unpack how leadership at all levels turns values into action, why true empowerment requires daily coaching, and how identity and mission shape whether a job becomes a source of pride or just a paycheck. Through candid stories—earning a vice president title the hard way, and a bracing town hall where new owners announced a site closure—we explore what happens when culture aligns and when it collapses under pressure.

Greg and I walk through a practical blueprint for building real culture: invest in training that goes beyond theory, set clear standards in the first 90 days, and anchor development in communication, self-leadership, creating a positive environment, developing others, and getting results. The Johnson & Johnson model shows how structure and story can fuse—care for people, disciplined execution, and a shared language of leadership that scales from entry-level to executives. We also widen the lens to roles where purpose is built on task and safety, like skilled trades, where trust and precision define identity just as strongly as mission-driven brands.

Hiring and promotion decisions become the pressure test. We talk about choosing for fit and pride, spotting transferable traits, and avoiding the “greener grass” trap by reading culture signals before you jump. Externally, culture shows up through consistency between mission and products, employee advocacy on LinkedIn and Glassdoor, and authentic community engagement. If the claims match the actions, you can feel it. If they don’t, you can see it. Before accepting an offer or a partnership, ask whether this organization’s identity aligns with your values, growth, and standards.

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Presented by John Wandolowski and Greg Powell