Every CEO is a Chief Cultural Officer.

“Can you fix our CEO?”

I’ve been asked this question by a leader who was at their wit’s end.

This is one of the most distressing conversations that I have ever had.

Here’s how it goes: A well-meaning leader sets up a meeting hoping that I can repair the culture problems that their emotionally immature/shortsighted boss is causing.

However, while I can provide them with some tools to manage the destruction (both to them and the team), it’s simply a water bottle to a house fire.

If you’re a CEO, whether you know it or not, YOU ARE THE CHIEF CULTURAL OFFICER OF YOUR COMPANY. Everyone else takes their cues from you.

And while creating a healthy culture doesn’t always have to be made at the top, it absolutely can be destroyed at the top.