How leaders shape culture – Part 1

A leader’s primary responsibility is to shape organisational culture.
Leaders are always shaping culture, intentionally or unintentionally—healthy or unhealthy—over time.
Organisational culture doesn’t happen by itself; it is shaped by leaders.
Leaders shape culture through prayer: deep, sustained prayer births cultural change, including intercession, vision, wisdom, strategy, evaluation, and planning (e.g. Paul, Elijah).
Leaders shape culture through their lives: leaders are observed more than heard, their behaviour sets the standard, and what they do is imitated (e.g. Jesus, Paul and Timothy).
Leaders shape culture through their work and words: practical actions, initiatives, and communication that reinforce values, priorities, vision, and expectations.
Every action, word, and decision of a leader nurtures organisational culture; leaders must intentionally live out the culture they want to see.