The leader's job is to cultivate the type of culture that will lead to success.
Drawing from Daniel Coyle's The Culture Code, there are three essential elements:
- Build safety — fostering secure environments
- Share vulnerability — encouraging risk-taking for cooperation
- Establish purpose — aligning around shared goals
See the Role You Play in Team Culture
Leaders establish norms through modeling behavior. One bad apple or toxic employee can bring down the whole team. Leaders must actively cultivate desired culture rather than allowing negative dynamics to develop organically.
Creating Connections
Strategies for building cohesion include:
- Enforcing collaboration on shared problems
- Encouraging direct peer feedback
- Recognizing collaborative achievements
- Creating trust-building opportunities
Define Your Culture by Knowing Its Value
Leaders should identify why the team exists beyond functional roles, considering advantages of collective work (learning, decision-making quality, resource pooling).
How to Create Cultural Touchpoints Around Your Values
Implementation requires daily practices, not mere statements. Examples include code review processes, brown bag sessions, or standardized reporting formats.
Team Structure Becomes Team Culture
Culture emerges from everyday actions—communication styles, decision procedures, meeting formats—not symbolic gestures.
Practical examples:
- Weekly demo meetings showcasing accomplishments
- Teaching slots during team meetings
- Celebration rituals (e.g., cupcakes for launches)
Let the Culture Expand from the Top Down
Delegation of culture-building responsibilities to team members creates genuine ownership and inclusivity.