Your Culture Is Defined by What Requires Permission

Your company culture isn't defined by the values posted on your website. It's defined by what requires permission.

Employees don't learn how to operate from a mission statement. They learn by paying attention to what requires approval.

Can they solve a customer problem without asking? Can they improve a process? Can they make a judgment call? Or do they need permission first?

Every approval process answers the same question: Where does this organization believe good judgment lives?

If every meaningful decision has to move up the organization, people learn that ownership isn't expected. They learn that good judgment lives somewhere above them. 

Be intentional about which decisions require alignment and which ones people are expected to own. Every permission decision shapes your culture.