Culture and Its Impact on Organizational Effectiveness – A Note from the Field

Posted on July 08, 2025 by Marc Kolman, One of Thousands of Leadership Coaches on Noomii.

Culture is how we work together – the why, the who and the how. Culture lives in groups of people and within every organization. It’s more than what’s written in a mission or vision statement; it’s the lived beliefs, behaviors and assumptions that guide how people relate, make decisions, and get things done.

Organizational culture is the collection of values, beliefs and behaviors that shape how employees show up and engage. Paying attention to culture is not just important, it’s essential for ensuring an organization’s impact and effectiveness.

As my teacher and colleague @Catherine_Bell says, a strong, healthy culture drives growth, engagement and success in organizations. It’s where the real magic happens.

Recently, I’ve been working with a Diné (Navajo) agency that provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities. On the surface, I was brought in to help them meet compliance standards required to maintain state funding – things like quality improvement, tracking, reporting, and policy development. These are critical for the organization’s health, and I am exceptionally well-suited for this work.

But what’s most powerful — and most sustainable — is when we move beyond compliance and focus on culture.

What I found were longstanding cultural dynamics that had quietly hindered collaboration, accountability, and communication. While I am not Diné, I know that meaningful change begins with connection – when people communicate openly and work collaboratively together. And I know that fulfilling external requirements doesn’t have to mean abandoning internal values. In fact, honoring both is where the magic happens and real transformation can be created.

As the agency began addressing its internal culture, things shifted. Meetings now start with prayer. Traditional culture is honored. Communication has improved. Collaboration is more effective. And yes — the agency became compliant. But more importantly, they did it in a way that reconnected them to who they are and how they want to serve their community,

Culture lives in all of us — and in every organization. When we attend to it intentionally, we embrace clarity, cohesion, and capacity. Whether you’re aiming for compliance or envisioning something more bold, tending to culture isn’t just effective – it’s energizing, rewarding and transformative.