🧑‍🏫 Culture for dummies

Many companies have a list of supposed “values”.

Few actually live them out.

When done right, values guide decision-making—especially in moments of ambiguity.

When done wrong, they’re just words on a website.

Here’s how to embed effective values into your company so they actually drive performance 👇

Step 1: Establish Values

Most companies copy generic values like “Integrity” or “Customer Obsession.”

But if your values don’t mean anything specific to your team, they won’t guide behavior.

Define values based on what truly matters in your business—and go deeper. Add context, examples, and stories that illustrate them in action.

The clearer you are, the easier it is for your team to apply them.

Overwhelmed With Client Work?

Ready to escape the grind? We’ve helped 800+ agency owners reclaim their time by placing a Fractional COO into their business. Book a free call to uncover what’s keeping you trapped & finally remove yourself from client servicing.

👉🏼 Remove Yourself From Client Work HERE

Step 2: Bake Values Into HR & Promotions

At Amazon, promotions and raises are tied to values—not just performance. 

Employees get reviewed based on how well they live the company’s principles.

If your values don’t influence hiring, performance reviews, and promotions, they aren’t real.

Create a formal process where values are graded and impact career progression.

Step 3: Train & Reinforce Values Daily

Values should be built into how your team communicates and operates:

• Managers should coach employees on values in real scenarios.

• Start meetings with a “Values Win” where someone is recognized for embodying a value.

• Require leaders to track and report how they reinforce values in their teams.

Step 4: Audit & Sustain Values Over Time

Values don’t stick unless leadership enforces them consistently.

Regular audits, peer feedback, and tangible consequences (promotions, raises, terminations) are key to ensuring values aren’t just talk.

Companies that get this right build cultures that self-sustain and scale effortlessly.

The ones that don’t? They wonder why their team operates with no direction.

Want help aligning your values with your agency to unlock massive scale?

🗓️ Book a call with my elite 8F team here.