The Iceberg of Company Culture

A company’s culture impacts everyone in the organization and has many layers. It determines what is and is not acceptable at work and what will be rewarded. The challenge with culture is that only a small part of the culture is visible. Think of it like an iceberg where only the top is visible, but there are many unknowns below the surface. 

When you look around your company’s office, what do you see and what does it tell you about the company’s values? Is it furnished in a contemporary style, indicating that being cutting edge is a priority or is the artwork expensive to signify success? This is the tip of the iceberg, visible as you approach.

What values does your company demonstrate? This goes beyond what is written in the mission and vision statement but how and where money is spent and priorities lie. 

Culture goes even deeper and may take more time to identify and unravel. This part of the company culture is implicit. How would you describe this part of the company culture? How does it align with your values?

The deeper you go into your company’s culture iceberg, the more difficult it is to change as it may even be subconscious. Feeling an alignment with the company’s culture will help you thrive in your role. 

How did you feel when you aligned with a company’s culture?

Have you ever experienced misalignment with a company’s culture? How did that feel? 

Have you seen a leader change a company’s culture? How did they shift the iceberg?