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Shape and Sustain Organizational Culture

Manage culture change by influencing desired behaviors and aligning efforts to achieve organizational outcomes.

  • A gap remains between organizations’ stated culture (espoused values) and employees’ lived experience. This gap varies by employee level, with leaders of leaders having more positive perceptions of their organization’s culture than nonmanagers.
  • HR departments know that shaping and sustaining culture is important for achieving desired organizational outcomes, but few believe that HR is very effective in doing so.

Executive Summary

Critical Insight

Shaping an organizational culture where everyone thrives hinges on leadership role modeling, implementation of strategically aligned culture initiatives, and HR alignment, all of which reinforce the desired values and behaviors. Culture sustainment enhances competitive advantage and supports the achievement of desired organizational outcomes.

Impact & Result

  • Clarify key players’ roles and accountabilities in managing and reinforcing culture change.
  • Bridge the gap between your current and desired culture, addressing pain points, preserving strengths, and building a competitive advantage.
  • Align HR programs (e.g. performance management, recognition) and build leadership accountability to reinforce desired behaviors and maintain shifts in mindsets and beliefs.
  • Implement change management tactics and sustainment components to embed the desired culture into the organization’s day-to-day operations.

Research & Tools

1. Prepare for culture change

Identify the driving need for culture change, determine the scope of change, assemble a cross-functional team, and set goals and metrics.

2. Work with leaders on culture initiatives

Gain leaders’ commitment for culture change and partner with them to develop culture initiatives and prepare action plans.

3. Identify opportunities for HR alignment

Identify opportunities for HR culture initiatives to reinforce the desired culture and create roadmaps for each prioritized initiative.

4. Manage and sustain culture change

Craft communications about high-level culture change and prepare change management plans for each culture initiatives.

Workshop

Engage McLean & Company facilitators to lead your team through the Shape and Sustain Organizational Culture online workshop.

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Workshops offer a structured 3-5 day session designed to help HR teams and organizations address specific challenges and implement HR best practices.

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