--- title: "“Organizational Culture”: Defining What it Means to You" id: "17587" type: "post" slug: "organizational-culture-defining-what-it-means-to-you" published_at: "2013-05-29T17:14:23+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T19:03:40+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/05/29/organizational-culture-defining-what-it-means-to-you/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/05/29/organizational-culture-defining-what-it-means-to-you.md" excerpt: "Does your association need more agility? A change in thinking and culture can help your staff and organization flourish. Also: A blogger’s definition of “organizational culture.”" taxonomy_category: - "Organizational Strategy" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "employee engagement" - "Leadership" - "Organizational Culture" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Director" - "Manager" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » “Organizational Culture”: Defining What it Means to You Every organization has its own mission and goals. How does your association’s team structure ensure that the organization’s mission is always in sight? > Listening is a really important part of the circle. In a lot of environments, people talk over each other. The ROI of organizational culture, and more, in today’s Lunchtime Links: **Maintaining an agile organization:** How can you improve your organization’s culture? Bob Gower, author of *The Art of Agile Business*, says (predictably), “keep it agile.” He has some [ideas on organizational behavior worth experimenting with (opens in a new tab)](http://pandodaily.com/2013/05/28/how-to-build-an-agile-culture/) to help the organization improve over time. “Agile processes and tools are actually install mechanisms for culture,” he writes for PandoDaily. “By requesting people to work together in certain ways, track specific metrics, and check in with each other at specified intervals, companies can put in place the building blocks for people to interact in positive, productive ways.” **It starts with values:** Leadership consultant Jamie Notter has his own [definition of “organizational culture.” (opens in a new tab)](http://jamienotter.com/2013/05/definition-of-organizational-culture/) He defines it as “the collection of words, actions, thoughts, and ‘stuff’ that clarifies and reinforces what a company truly values.” Notter says it’s important for an organization to be clear about what it values and to have an understandable definition of culture that will drive staff performance. “I don’t care if you use my definition,” he writes, “but pick one and run with it.” How do you define “organizational culture”? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. **Pass the talking stick around:** It’s important to give everyone on your staff a chance to speak, exchange ideas, and become a part of the team that comes up with solutions. Holding small meetings with attendees arranged in a circle, or using props like talking sticks, can increase employee participation—and their loyalty to your organization. “Listening is a really important part of the circle. In a lot of environments, people talk over each other. Making space for different kinds of people, different voices, different ideas, is really important for the success of the business,” [fashion entrepreneur Eileen Fisher writes in Inc. magazine (opens in a new tab)](http://www.inc.com/magazine/201306/leigh-buchanan/eileen-fisher-inclusiveness-get-employees-invested.html) . What kind of system does your association use to give employees a voice? What interesting reads have you found today? Let us know in your comments below. (iStockphoto/Thinkstock) [Anita Ferrer](https://associationsnow.com/author/anita-ferrer/) Anita Ferrer is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/anita-ferrer/) Tags: [#employee engagement](https://associationsnow.com/tag/employee-engagement/) [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/) [#Organizational Culture](https://associationsnow.com/tag/organizational-culture/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoInvesting in Well-being: The Strategic Advantage of Mental Health Support in the WorkplaceJune 23, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/06/23/investing-in-well-being-the-strategic-advantage-of-mental-health-support-in-the-workplace/) - [ArticleBuilding a Positive Culture in Small (but Mighty) AssociationsOctober 22, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/10/22/building-a-positive-culture-in-small-but-mighty-associations/) - [VideoChallenge Legacy Mindsets at MMC+TechApril 17, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/04/17/challenge-legacy-mindsets-at-mmctech/) - [ArticleThree Habits Association Leaders Should Adopt for Agile Strategic PlanningOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/three-habits-association-leaders-should-adopt-for-agile-strategic-planning/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2013%2F05%2F29%2Forganizational-culture-defining-what-it-means-to-you%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !