The role of the leader has never been more important for businesses that want to thrive. It’s not only about guiding the company toward profitability, keeping clients happy, and maintaining an engaged team, in the big picture, it’s about leading the room. The leader’s fingerprints are everywhere: on how people interact, how decisions get made and problems get solved.
There’s no shortage of articles about “the strength of a great culture.” It’s one of those business phrases that sounds good but often stays stuck on the wall in the form of posters and slogans. And efforts to work on it often become the shiny objects of the month. So, let’s talk about the real question: How do you actually build a great culture?
Culture Can be Defined by What You Do Next
Culture isn’t a declaration; it’s a reflection of what happens when no one’s looking. It’s how people behave under pressure, how teams respond when things go sideways, and how and when leaders handle tough calls.
Every business has moments that define it. The way you react, what you do next, becomes part of your cultural DNA. When a client project blows up, when two team members clash, or when someone makes an honest mistake, your response as a leader sets the tone for what’s acceptable and what’s not. This also falls under the category of you get what you tolerate.
That’s why leaders can’t afford to be passive observers of culture – no sitting in the cheap seats! They create it daily through their decisions and how they recognize things. They show consistency, and follow-through. And the best ones don’t just talk about accountability or collaboration; they model it in how they show up every day.
Read the full article on Printing Impressions, a publication of PRINTING United Alliance, ASI’s strategic partner.
