Cultural self-awareness is key

Culture is one of seven organisational ‘superpowers’ and probably: the hardest to describe, the easiest source of blame, the hardest to change and the most critical for success. A Thinking Ahead Institute research paper, Culture- the organisation superpower, found that while cultural norms differ across segments of the industry true innovation in the investment industry is rare.

In this episode, we talk to Andy Walker – Employee Experience Global Head of Sales at WTW – and Stacy Apter – Vice President, Treasurer and Corporate Finance for The Coca-Cola Company – about the role of culture for leadership, the power of culture for differentiation and the importance of increased cultural self-awareness.

And the best leaders show…culture in terms of purpose and meaning and impact. How will this culture create the impact and the value that we need? In doing so, they create belief and commitment to that culture amongst the broader workforce.
Andy Walker, Employee Experience Global Head of Sales at WTW

It is critical that there is a culture that enables alignment, that we can have open debate, that we can be agile in how we make decisions and keep everyone moving the same direction. My personal view is without creating a culture that supports that, having a less structured organisational model would be very difficult to deliver against our growth aspirations.
Stacy Apter, Vice President, Treasurer and Corporate Finance for The Coca-Cola Company