Performance Management: Putting Research into Action

Impact of Culture

In launching the discussion of these seven key success factors, I previously noted that culture has been identified as a more general or foundational driver of alignment and performance by a number of leaders interviewed, in particular among a few of the most successful firms. Henry S. Givray, chairman & CEO of SmithBucklin, was perhaps the most vocal about the criticality of the “right” culture. When he thinks about alignment, he thinks first about the alignment of people with values. “While the mission and goals may be the ‘brains’ or rational side of alignment, a company’s cultural values are the ‘heart’ of its long-term success and endurance.” He was quick to point out that people who are not aligned on values will have ...