(hub)Spotlight on Culture

No surprise, I’ve been reading the recent coverage on Dan Lyons’ new book with great interest and an eye on culture. As the title, Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Start-Up Bubble, would suggest, it is a negative portrayal of his time as an employee at Hubspot. His former employer had something to say about it too. To be fair, I’m including links to both perspectives so everyone can decide for themselves.

In my humble opinion:

1. All organizations, startups or otherwise, will always have more to learn about how to create and manage culture.

2. Organizational cultures should purposeful, clearly articulated, values based, and differentiated.

3. Communicated culture must match lived experiences or risk eroding trust and authenticity.

4. Culture should be consistent and integrated throughout the organization while also leveraging diversity.

Hubspot did some things right, and appears to be learning and improving on other things. Dan Lyons’ book created a catalyst for dialogue on the employee experience.

The reality is that there is only so much that can be understood about this particular case from the outside in. Hopefully organizations (and their people) will take this opportunity to look inward and influence their own context. That requires taking action and investing in people.

Originally Posted at: http://www.designofworkexperience.com/news/hubspotlight-on-culture

Organizational expert and former corporate executive Karen Jaw-Madson provides consultation on culture, people strategies, change management, and all aspects of the employment experience, helping companies to achieve their business goals through their employees. Her book, Culture Your Culture, which explains Design of Work Experience (DOWE) step-by-step, will be released through Columbia University Press.