What is an organizational culture assessment?

An organizational culture assessment is a process for defining and shaping the culture of your company. The outcome is a well-defined set of Core Culture principles and values (the vital Purpose, the distinctive Philosophy, and the strategic Priorities) that center the organization and provide the criteria for all employee practices.

If you’ve never conducted an organizational culture assessment, now is the time to consider it. There are several options for conducting a Core Culture Assessment. Choose the option that works best for your organization.

Option 1: Conduct a Comprehensive Core Culture Assessment. This comprehensive culture-defining process requires the support of a consultant with this specialty. A trained professional has an outside view of the company which is often clearer than the perspective of a company employee. First, collect data (see sample questions) through interviews and open-ended surveys and/or focus groups. Next, triangulate the data with a closed-ended survey (based on the analyzed data) for all employees. Then, conduct a facilitated session with the leadership team to review data collection results and decide the Core Culture.
Option 2: If you cannot afford an outside consultant, consider using this option. First, conduct a Core Culture Assessment Workshop with the leadership team using the Building a Culture of Distinction workbooks. The facilitator will use the text: Building a Culture of Distinction: Facilitator Guide for Defining Organizational Culture and Managing Change. Participants will use the Participant Workbook. Next, collect views from all employees through a closed-ended survey (based on the core culture options that came from conducting the workshop). Then, conduct a follow-up facilitated session with the leadership team to review the closed-ended survey results and decide the Core Culture.
Option 3: This option works well in a relatively small organization where employees will feel comfortable sharing their views openly. First, conduct a Core Culture Assessment Workshop with the leadership team using the Building a Culture of Distinction workbooks. The Facilitator Guide will be used by the leader of the process. Workshop participants will use the Building a Culture of Distinction: Participant Workbook. Then, have an open session with all employees to discuss and alter or confirm results.
Option 4: If the organization has fewer than 25 employees, you might consider conducting a Core Culture Assessment Workshop with all employees. The Facilitator Guide will be used by the leader of the process. Workshop participants will use the Building a Culture of Distinction: Participant Workbook.

An organization that has not taken the time to define its core culture principles lacks a clearly-defined identity. And with that lack of clarity, the organization will struggle to be successful. It will experience inadequate performance and unattained goals. In successful organizations, employees are united in shared principles.

Take the time to assess your organizational core culture. It will jump start a process for positive change. Contact me for information on the best way to conduct an organizational culture assessment for your organization.