Cultural Garden
Culture isn't something you build once and forget about. It's a living, breathing thing that needs constant attention, care, and cultivation - just like a garden.
I fucked up by thinking culture would maintain itself. Early in building my company, we had a great culture. People were excited, collaborative, and aligned. I thought we'd "solved" culture. I moved on to other priorities.
What Went Wrong
Six months later, everything had changed. Silos formed. Communication broke down. The energy was gone. What happened? I'd neglected the cultural garden.
Like any garden, culture needs:
- Regular weeding - Remove toxic behaviors quickly
- Consistent watering - Reinforce values through actions
- Pruning - Let go of people who don't fit, even if they're productive
- Planting new seeds - Hire for cultural fit and contribution
- Seasonal care - Adapt to growth stages
What I Learned
Culture is never "done." The moment you stop tending to it, weeds start growing. Bad habits creep in. Misalignments compound.
Now I block time every week specifically for cultural maintenance:
- One-on-ones focused on values, not just tasks
- Team discussions about what's working and what isn't
- Celebrating examples of cultural wins
- Addressing cultural violations immediately
- Regular pulse checks on team health
Your culture is your garden. Tend to it daily, or watch it become overgrown with weeds.
Key Takeaway: Culture requires active, ongoing maintenance. Schedule regular time for cultural work, or risk watching everything you've built slowly decay.