“Culture cannot be taught but is caught.” This simple yet profound quote encapsulates how culture spreads within an organization. It’s not about grand speeches or detailed training manuals but about the behaviors and attitudes that leaders model daily.
As Gandhi famously said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” The same principle applies to organizational leadership. If you want a culture of innovation, you must embody curiosity and risk-taking. If you want a culture of respect, you must treat others with dignity and empathy.
A study by the Harvard Business School found that employees are more likely to adopt behaviors modeled by their leaders. Leader behavior was found to be the single strongest predictor of organizational culture.
However, modeling the right behaviors is only half the battle. Leaders must also be consistent in their actions. As Ralph Waldo Emerson observed, “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.”
To shape your organization’s culture, start with self-reflection. Ask yourself: Are my actions aligned with the culture I want to create? Am I setting the example I want others to follow?
Culture is caught, not taught. And it all starts with you.
