Organizational culture has become a cornerstone of business strategy, significantly influencing employee experience, performance, and long-term success. As workplace expectations evolve, culture is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. Recognizing this, McLean & Company, a leading HR research and advisory firm, has released a new blueprint titled Shape and Sustain Organizational Culture to help HR teams embed culture into the fabric of their organizations.
The Importance of Culture in Today’s Workplace
Culture is a powerful tool in translating people strategies into tangible business value. Organizations with strong cultures benefit from:
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Improved employee engagement and satisfaction
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Higher performance and retention rates
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Competitive differentiation in attracting and retaining talent
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Enhanced alignment between values and day-to-day behaviors
The Challenge: Bridging the Culture Gap
Despite recognizing the importance of culture, many organizations struggle to maintain alignment between their stated values and the lived employee experience.
Findings from McLean & Company:
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65% of employees believe their company’s mission and values are reflected in daily activities
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Disparities exist in perception—non-managers report lower cultural satisfaction than senior leaders
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Only 36% of HR professionals feel confident in their ability to shape and sustain culture
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Yet, 80% acknowledge its critical importance to business and HR outcomes
The Four-Step Blueprint to Cultural Transformation
McLean & Company’s resource provides a practical framework to drive cultural initiatives forward. The four steps include:
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Prepare for Culture Change
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Assess current cultural state
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Identify desired cultural attributes
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Build awareness and commitment from leadership
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Work with Leaders on Culture Initiatives
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Ensure leaders model the desired behaviors
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Provide leadership training and support
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Foster a culture of accountability
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Identify Opportunities for HR Alignment
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Integrate culture goals into HR policies and processes
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Align hiring, onboarding, performance management, and learning initiatives with cultural values
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Manage and Sustain Culture Change
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Use feedback mechanisms to monitor cultural health
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Communicate consistently across all teams and locations
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Reinforce values through recognition and policy enforcement
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Culture’s Impact on Engagement and Retention
Organizations that embed cultural values in everyday work environments experience measurable benefits:
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Employees in strong cultural settings are 1.3x more likely to look forward to work
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They are 1.1x more likely to stay with their employer over the next year
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A healthy culture promotes emotional connection, purpose, and motivation
Strategies for Long-Term Cultural Success
To foster lasting impact, organizations should:
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Reinforce cultural values consistently
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Equip leaders to act as culture champions
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Design inclusive approaches for all work environments—remote, on-site, and deskless
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Use change management techniques to align behaviors with organizational values
Expert Insights and Upcoming Webinar
“Strong cultures don’t emerge by chance. They are intentionally built,” says Amani Gharib, Director at McLean & Company. She emphasizes the importance of leadership modeling and strategic alignment to achieve a thriving culture.
HR professionals can gain deeper insights through McLean & Company’s upcoming webinar, Shape and Sustain Organizational Culture, scheduled for June 12, 2025. The session will highlight research findings and offer actionable guidance for successful cultural transformation.
Culture is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a tailored, evolving process requiring leadership, strategy, and reinforcement. With McLean & Company’s proven blueprint, HR teams are equipped to lead cultural change that drives performance and creates a workplace where people thrive.
