Definition
Organizational culture is the shared values, beliefs, and practices that define how an organization operates. Founders reach for it when a vague conversation needs a shared, specific meaning. Name it clearly, then let the next decision — a hire, a price, a test, or a pass — follow from that meaning.
In the room
How the word shows up in a real conversation.
You know Organizational culture is doing work when it changes a weekly choice — price, hire, channel, or kill. The working definition: Shared values, beliefs, and practices that define how an organization operates.
Common mistake
Using Organizational culture as a label instead of a fact. If you cannot point to the evidence — a number, a customer, or a written assumption — you are using the word as jargon.
See also
Organizational development
Planned effort to improve an organization's effectiveness and capability.
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Organizational effectiveness
Measure of how well an organization achieves its goals and objectives.
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Organizational structure
Framework that defines how activities are coordinated and controlled within an organization.
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Order backlog
Accumulated orders that have been received but not yet fulfilled.
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