Great Culture Starts with Hiring the Right People

A note to young leaders.

I was recently asked: what is the single most important thing a leader can do to build a great culture?

The interviewer expected me to talk about some exciting new program or policy that we’ve introduced at EG – but my answer was simple: “Great culture begins and ends with hiring and retaining the right people. The rest happens naturally, provided you have a compelling vision and authentic values.”

No cultural programs or policies can help you if you’ve recruited people that are selfish, lazy or arrogant.

Culture is not some supernatural emanation that shines forth from the leader – it is an organic, infinitely evolving thing that springs forth from the tribe that you’ve assembled.

For more posts on corporate culture, see: http://ow.ly/1Ska50LO0jT and http://ow.ly/NeEH50LO0jS.