The CEO-Culture Connection
How one person’s behavior can accelerate or undermine organizational performance in times of extraordinary disruption
In these rapidly evolving times, leaders need effective tools to scale their vision, to harness the power of their people, and to adapt and thrive.
Organizational culture can be that "north star" that guides c-suite efforts to strengthen organizational performance and effectiveness.
But what may be surprising is the outsized impact a single person—the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)—can have on an organization's culture and its ability to survive or thrive in times of extraordinary disruption.
Deloitte has identified four CEO personas and their “culture connection”—their ability to effectively shape and direct culture to strengthen organizational performance.
Using our unique Culture Web framework, we delve deeper into each CEO persona, and show how the right support, actions, and organizational levers can activate a successful culture across the business.
Identify your – or your CEO’s – culture leadership persona and the steps and guidance you can follow for a successful culture, strategy, and thriving organization.
The CEO Personas
Visionary Driver
- This CEO lives and breathes their desired culture and ties it to their business strategy.
Party Planner
- This CEO knows culture is important but lacks the tools to systematically shape it, instead relying on empty symbols (e.g., pizza parties or ping pong tables).
Doubtful De-prioritizer
- This CEO fails to recognize the importance of culture–and that every choice has culture implications.
Lip Service Leader
- This CEO pays lip service to culture but repeatedly makes undermining choices (e.g., they want innovation but punish failure).
