How do you communicate your company culture to the world?

The mission statement outlines the purpose of the organization, its primary goals, and the target audience it aims to serve. It provides a sense of direction and guides decision-making by aligning actions with the overall mission The vision statement describes the desired future state or long-term goals of the organization. It serves as a guide for decision-making and helps employees understand the company's aspirations and the direction it wants to move towards. Values represent the fundamental principles and ethics that guide the behavior and actions of individuals within the organization. They reflect the company's beliefs and serve as a compass for decision-making and actions.

Defining and communicating your culture is not a one-time task but an ongoing process that requires active participation and commitment from all stakeholders. When done effectively, it can be a driving force behind an organization's success, promoting unity, innovation, and a shared sense of purpose.

To communicate your company culture to the world, you need to be clear about what your company culture is and what you want to communicate about it. Once you have a clear understanding of your company culture, you can start to develop a communication plan. This plan should include a variety of channels and tactics for communicating your company culture to the world. Here are some specific tips: Be authentic. People can spot inauthenticity from a mile away, so it's important to be genuine when communicating your company culture. Make sure that your communication is aligned with your company's values and beliefs.

Storytelling is not just a method of communication; it's a strategic tool for building and reinforcing your organizational culture. It allows you to engage with your audience authentically, foster a sense of connection and community, and showcase your organization's values and impact on the world.

As someone who's spent the past six years focusing exclusively on amplifying the voices of company leaders, here's what I've learned: 1. Focus on what makes a leader human: executives have unique lived experiences — tap into those when communicating. Anyone can Google advice; what makes an audience want to hear from your people, is their unique perspectives and stories. If you've hired well, your people will reinforce your culture through their own lens. 2. Focus on the narratives that aren't being told: company leaders often speak to trends offering a variation of what's popular opinion. The culture of a company stands out more when its people lead conversations that are under discussed but important to their key stakeholders.

Incorporating your people into your culture communication strategy not only strengthens your cultural message but also builds a sense of pride and ownership among employees. It's a powerful way to leverage the collective strength and authenticity of your team to connect with your audience and reinforce the values that define your organization.

Community engagement isn't just a complementary aspect of culture communication; it's a fundamental pillar. It empowers your organization to adapt and grow in a dynamic world, while also demonstrating a commitment to openness, collaboration, and a culture that genuinely values the input and perspectives of all its stakeholders.

I think many people overlook that when exploring a company's culture, what the leader says and does matters. Your CEO and members of your executive team can be powerful ambassadors for your company culture. For example, if you want to highlight your organization's progressive parent-friendly policies, having a leader who "parents out loud" and shares their experiences publically about navigating the challenges and wins of parenting lets prospective and current employers know they understand the challenges of working parents. Alternatively, if you have an organization that values and champions sustainability, having a leader or CEO who talks about those topics can carry this message considerably further than pure corporate content.