The Four Types of Organizational Culture – Which Is Right for Your Company?

The four types of company culture, explained. Plus, how to avoid common pitfalls when taking them to the extreme.

Not all cultures are made equal. However, most organizational cultures can be categorized into four “pure” categories (I will explain later why most companies usually have a mix – and why that’s a good thing). The type of culture shapes organizational behavior, from alignment and leadership to decision-making and meetings.

A common mistake new leaders make is neglecting to recognize the type of culture in their company. By forcing the culture to be something it’s not, they fail to improve what’s broken and leverage what’s already working.

Whether you’re a leader or a consultant engaged in a cultural transformation, understanding the type of culture will save you a lot of time – and headaches. In this article, I’ll explain the four main types of cultures, analyze the pros and cons, and describe how to determine the right ‘mix’ for your organization.

What Is Workplace Culture – And Why It Matters

Leaders largely agree that company culture is paramount to business success. Yet, many still vi…