Introduction
Great managers are the cornerstone of thriving organizations. They shape employee engagement, drive business performance, and foster workplace culture. Yet, according to Gallup, 70% of team engagement is directly influenced by managers. However, most organizations fail to equip managers with the tools needed to lead effectively. The result? 49% of employees consider leaving their job due to poor management (SHRM).
At The Culture Fix®, we believe that strong managers don’t just happen—they are cultivated through a values-driven culture. Companies like Turnberry, Pass The Keys, and Zaizi have transformed their leadership teams using CoreVals™, the Culture Fulfillment Program, and practical tools like Notice & Nominate™ and CoreScore™. These organizations have seen measurable improvements in leadership alignment, employee engagement, and business outcomes.
Why Culture Shapes Great Managers
Many organizations promote high-performing employees to management roles but fail to provide the cultural framework necessary for leadership success. When managers lack clear expectations beyond KPIs, they struggle with decision-making, accountability, and team engagement.
By embedding CoreVals™ into management training, companies can:
Ensure leadership consistency.
Improve decision-making through values-based frameworks.
Foster a culture of accountability and engagement.
Case Study: How Turnberry Strengthened Leadership with CoreVals™
Turnberry, a fast-growing food ingredients company in the Philippines, realized that performance metrics alone weren’t enough to build a cohesive, high-performing team. Their leadership team—=CEO, Sales Manager, Finance Manager, and HR Manager—partnered with The Culture Fix® to implement the Culture Fulfillment Program.
Key Initiatives:
CoreScore™ Implementation: Managers were assessed on performance and cultural alignment, creating a well-rounded evaluation system.
CoreChart™ Development: Their values—Independent Thinking, Right Balance, Achievement, Customer Focus, and Malasakit—were visually embedded into daily operations.
Notice & Nominate™ Program: Employees recognized managers who embodied company values, reinforcing strong leadership behaviors.
The Outcome: Turnberry experienced a 235% business growth over two years, attributing much of their success to their culture-first management approach.
Building Manager Accountability Through Culture
When managers operate in a culture with clear values and expectations, accountability becomes a natural part of leadership. At Pass The Keys, a UK-based property management company, CEO Alexander Lyakhotskiy recognized the need for greater alignment among his leadership team.
Before partnering with The Culture Fix®, Pass The Keys had six long, forgettable values. After implementing the Culture Fulfillment Program, they distilled them into four memorable CoreVals™: Drive, Evolve Together, Take Pride, and Innovate.
To reinforce accountability, they implemented:
Culture Alignment Interviews: Performance reviews included a culture-based assessment, ensuring managers upheld values.
Catch & Correct™: A structured approach to addressing leadership behaviors that deviated from CoreVals™.
Legend & Diamond Awards: A customized Notice & Nominate™ program recognizing managers who exemplified company values.
The Results: Pass The Keys saw a measurable culture shift, with 78.1% of employees reporting a more positive work experience post-Culture Fulfillment.
Recognition: The Secret to Leadership Development
At Zaizi, a digital services company in the UK, leadership knew that recognizing managers for living CoreVals™ was key to sustained engagement.
To embed their values—People, Passion, and Purpose—into their leadership framework, they:
Created a Company Theme Song: Played at weekly meetings, reinforcing culture alignment.
Designed a CoreChart™: A visual representation of CoreVals™, ensuring managers had a constant reference point.
Implemented Notice & Nominate™: Employees highlighted when managers demonstrated company values, fostering a culture of appreciation.
By integrating these initiatives, Zaizi saw higher leadership engagement, better manager-employee relationships, and a more cohesive workplace culture.
The Role of Organizational Culture Surveys in Leadership Development
An Organizational Culture Survey provides invaluable insights into leadership effectiveness and cultural alignment. The Culture Fix®’s Culture Survey evaluates key areas such as:
Leadership alignment with CoreVals™
Managerial effectiveness in fostering engagement
Employee perception of workplace culture
Companies like CB&A and A-Action Pest Control have used The Culture Fix® survey to assess leadership culture gaps, implement targeted improvements, and track progress over time.
Take Action: Use Culture to Develop Stronger Managers
If your managers aren’t leading with values, your business will struggle. Here’s how to create culture-driven leadership:
Define Your CoreVals™ – Ensure your values are clear, concise, and woven into leadership expectations.
Embed Culture into Leadership Training – Use Culture Fulfillment™ to train managers on values-driven decision-making.
Create Accountability Structures – Implement CoreScore™ and Catch & Correct™ to align leadership behaviors.
Recognize and Reward Leadership Excellence – Use Notice & Nominate™ to reinforce positive management practices.
Measure Cultural Alignment – Utilize The Culture Fix Organizational Culture Survey to track managerial impact and progress.
Final Thoughts
Great managers aren’t just hired—they are cultivated through culture. Organizations that integrate CoreVals™ into leadership development create managers who inspire, engage, and drive long-term success.
Is your company ready to build a culture of great leadership? Start by assessing your management team with The Culture Fix® Organizational Culture Survey today.