Over a year ago, I read Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara — a New York Times Bestseller that, for me, was nothing short of life-changing. Shortly after finishing it, I drafted a blog post outlining my top five takeaways… and then, like many drafts, it sat unpublished. Fast forward to March 2025: after a weighty career transition to International Justice Mission (IJM), a season of deep self-reflection, and countless personal and professional breakthroughs, I found myself on the other side of something I would never have imagined — the opportunity to interview Will Guidara himself. He graciously joined one of our recent IJM Strategic Partnerships team meetings for an unforgettable 30-minute conversation. A huge moment for our team. What followed wasn’t...
A company’s culture isn’t written in the handbook; it’s lived in the hallways.It’s not just about perks, workspaces, team lunches, or parties. It’s about the stories your team tells, the values you embody, and the ripples you create throughout your industry and spheres of influence.Culture is the operating system of your organization. And like the famous Peter Drucker quote says, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”If it’s healthy… it fuels innovation nurtures talent fosters loyalty …and builds top-down and bottom-up trust But remember, culture isn’t imposed; it’s cultivated.Just like a farmer tends to his crops, nurturing a company’s culture requires constant care and attention.You can’t just plant the seeds and walk away expecting a bountiful harvest. It needs regular watering, the...
Something I’m learning about company culture…
Your brand and your company culture are two sides of the same coin.
Brand 👉🏼 how the world perceives you.
Culture 👉🏼 how you perceive yourselves.
When these two align, magic happens. 🪄
Your team doesn't just 'work'; they become brand ambassadors.
Your customers don't just 'buy'; they become part of your tribe.
In the dance between brand and culture, the goal isn't to lead or follow; it's to move in harmony, creating a rhythm that's undeniably, unmistakably, authentically 'you'.
And that’s where the fun begins!
Your brand isn't your logo, your tagline, or your product.
It's the story that unfolds in the minds of your customers every time they interact with you.
Your brand is:
The expectations you exceed
The promises you keep
The memories you create
The relationships you help foster
The problems you creatively solve
These 👆🏼 added together over time, account for your customer’s decision to choose you over someone else time after time.
Your brand isn't just your story; it's the story your customers tell themselves about you.
When this story is nurtured and given every opportunity to deeply resonate, you will ultimately have much more than a brand; you’ll have a tribe.
