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RESOURCES: Blog

The Importance of Culture (In Good Times and Bad)

Writer's picture: Kendra JanevskiKendra Janevski

Updated: Jan 23

People walking past colorful abstract paintings in a gallery.

While "culture" may be today's buzzword, its impact on organizational success has always been fundamental. Organizations that invest in culture—their people, processes, and core values—during stable times build resilience that carries them through periods of uncertainty. A strong culture creates an environment where employees feel supported and motivated, directly impacting client satisfaction and business outcomes.


Creating an Authentic Culture


When developing organizational culture, looking inward rather than borrowing from other companies is crucial. While observing how other firms approach customer service, service delivery, or management styles can provide insights, culture isn't a checklist item to copy. The key lies in first clarifying your organization's unique goals, identity, and values.


The Power of Shared Values


Successful organizational culture requires input and buy-in from every level of the organization. Core values such as accountability, flexibility, collaboration, appreciation, and excellence should drive daily operations. When team members share a commitment to learning and growth, they naturally develop a sense of collective ownership over the culture.


Beyond Perks and Benefits


While office perks and financial benefits play a role in culture building, they shouldn't be the primary focus. A truly strong culture goes beyond tangible rewards to create an environment where:

  • Employees feel aligned with company goals

  • Team members support each other through challenges

  • Learning and hard work receive meaningful recognition

  • Collaboration drives innovation and success


Measuring and Maintaining Culture


Culture requires ongoing evaluation and adjustment. Regular engagement surveys help organizations understand how well their culture aligns with core values and employee satisfaction. These assessments should:

  • Measure employee engagement and happiness

  • Evaluate alignment between values and daily operations

  • Identify areas for improvement

  • Guide strategic cultural adjustments


The questions asked during these surveys must go beyond surface-level satisfaction to explore how deeply employees connect with the organization's mission and values.


Creating Long-term Resilience


Organizations that prioritize culture during stable periods build teams better equipped to handle challenges. By maintaining a people-first approach and regularly assessing cultural health, companies create an environment where:

  • Strategic goals become more achievable

  • Teams collaborate more effectively

  • Employee motivation remains high

  • Innovation flourishes

  • Client satisfaction improves


Most importantly, when culture aligns with core values and receives consistent attention and adjustment, organizations develop the resilience needed to thrive in both favorable and challenging times.


Ready to strengthen your organizational culture? Vault's HR experts can help you assess your current culture, develop strategies for improvement, and implement effective measurement tools. Contact us today to learn how we can support your culture-building initiatives.

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