Culture takes shape in the way people communicate. It grows out of everyday messages, quick updates, and how leaders explain what’s happening around them. The tone, the clarity, and the level of care in those moments tell people what kind of organization they’re part of.
You can see it in small patterns that repeat; the way updates are written, how questions get answered, and the stories people tell each other about recent wins or setbacks. Each one adds another layer to how the place feels to work in. Over time, communication becomes the rough draft of culture, an early version of what people come to believe about the organization.
When communication is steady and honest, the culture feels grounded. When it’s careless or defensive, the culture starts to pick up that edge too. People take cues from the messages they see most often, and those cues shape how they act when no one’s around to remind them.
Culture is built through repetition. Every message either strengthens what you want to stand for or drifts away from it. Write with intention, speak with care, and the culture you’re aiming for will start to show up in how people talk about the work.
Culture follows communication.
