An organization is simply a collection of individuals that are in relationship...with one another, with their jobs, with their expectations, and with themselves. Each individual brings to these varied relationships their own values, dreams, taboos and personalities. Combined, these comprise the organization's culture. In a very literal sense there is no company culture absent the unique individual culture that is each person.
In most organizations people are recruited (onto teams or into the organization) based on what they can do. They are almost always fired for who they are - for the lack of fit between the individual culture they "are" and the culture of the organization they are trying to fit into.
This is important to note for a variety of reasons. "Designing" the organization's culture is an activity leaders often overlook at their peril. Recruiting, succession planning, implementation of strategic plans, team functioning, sustainable success, competitive positions and organizational resilience are all dramatically impacted by culture.
While a strong organizational culture can be like a self cleaning oven, "poor fits" may also be an indication that the culture of the organization needs to be examined. As with all complex living things (and an organization is both complex and "alive") the greater the mindfulness in designing for the future the greater the likelihood for success. What are the attributes of the ideal culture that will enable your company to be successful in the near to mid term? How do you design this culture? What kind of people will create that kind of culture? How are they different from the kinds of people you have typically hired?
