Why Company Culture is Everything
Company culture is like the soil that everything in your organisation grows from. Without the right conditions, nothing can thrive. It’s not just about having values written on your website -it’s about what happens when no one is looking.
When Culture Misses the Mark
I recently spoke to a brilliant woman in tech. She’s highly skilled, deeply technical, and absolutely loves her job. BUT….she’s autistic and has ADHD, and she’s terrified to tell her manager. She’s convinced they’d find a way to push her out if they knew.
I have no idea if she was right or not, I don’t know the company, but I do know that their culture hasn’t shown her it’s safe to be herself. And that fear has real consequences. She’s holding back innovative ideas because she doesn’t want to risk exposing the unique way she thinks.
Pretending to fit in (masking) takes a toll. Employees burn out, take time off, or leave entirely. The cost to the company is huge. Not just in recruitment and training but in reputation too. Word spreads, and before you know it, the company has a bad name as an employer.
What Good Culture Looks Like
The best organisations I’ve worked with don’t just talk about their values, they live them. They actively recruit diverse talent, partner with inclusive hiring specialists, tweak job ads to be more accessible, and track who’s thriving (and who’s not) in their organisation. Then they adapt.
This kind of intentionality builds trust. It shows employees they belong, creating a space where new ideas flourish and people genuinely want to stay.
The Magic of a Coaching Culture
To really supercharge your culture, build a coaching mindset across the business.
This means moving away from managers who simply give instructions and instead creating a workplace where people are encouraged to think for themselves. Instead of jumping in with a solution, leaders can ask coaching questions like:
What’s the risk if we don’t act?
Who in the business has expertise we can use?
What have you seen before that could help here?
This approach shifts ownership to the individual, empowering them to problem-solve and grow. It’s not just good for the business, it’s transformative for professional development.
A coaching culture also taps into the diversity of your team. Different perspectives, combined with better collaboration, lead to smarter decisions and more innovative outcomes. And when everyone feels valued, retention takes care of itself.
The Pitfalls of a Toxic Culture
I’ve lived and breathed the flip side.
One company had a CEO who seemed brilliant on the surface. But when he asked for ideas, what he really meant was “Guess what I’m already thinking.” Employees kept their heads down to avoid his wrath if their idea was different from his. Creativity dried up, and diversity of thought disappeared because they only hired and listened to people like him.
Yes, they offered financial retention incentives, but all they did was keep unhappy people trapped longer. When those people eventually left, the company had wasted time, money, and opportunities for innovation.
Empowering Leaders to Drive Culture
A strong culture starts with leaders who don’t shy away from difficult conversations. The ones we avoid - around mental health, inclusion, or even just asking, “Do you feel like you belong here?” - are the ones that matter most.
Leaders don’t need all the answers. In fact, pretending they do is part of the problem. Vulnerability, honesty, and a willingness to listen are what build trust and inclusion.
Why This Matters in Every Industry
Regardless of your sector, culture is the foundation of success. In fast-moving industries like tech, finance, healthcare, or creative fields, innovation depends on an engaged and supported workforce. If your culture doesn’t help employees feel safe, heard, and valued, you’re not just losing them - you’re losing the ideas, creativity, and collaboration that drive business success.
Companies that live their values, empower their teams, and embrace coaching will always come out ahead. Culture isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation for everything else.
Final Thoughts
Get your culture right, and everything else follows. It’s the secret ingredient behind retention, problem-solving, inclusion, innovation, and the kind of reputation that makes people want to work with - and for - you.
Read about Sprout Coaching’s six steps to create a coaching culture here.
