Does culture really eat strategy for breakfast?

According to legendary Management consultant Peter Drucker, ‘Culture eats strategy for breakfast’.

And that’s exactly what we found in our latest LinkedIn poll. 

Out of more than 113 votes, 38% of respondents said that a great culture is the single most important aspect of a job.

That’s not to say that competitive salaries, clear career progression, or strong business strategy don’t matter. But without genuine employee buy-in and a shared cultural foundation, even the best-laid plans can fall flat. When colleagues don’t align with the company’s vision, it becomes much harder to meet business objectives.

What is good company culture? 

All companies have a culture, whether they choose to or not. Company culture is built on shared beliefs, values and the behaviour of those around you. And the old saying of ‘actions speak louder than words’ is also true. Culture is generally set from the top down, so c suite and the executive teams need to lead by example. 

According to the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place to Work, there are 6 elements that form a great company culture:

• • • Community: Winning during the good times and sticking together through the tough ones. A culture where people win and lose as a team. Unity is everything.
    • Fairness: Employees thrive when they feel opportunities, recognition, and rewards are distributed fairly.
    • Trustworthy Management: Leaders who do what they say they’ll do create credibility — and that credibility drives retention, engagement, and motivation.
    • Innovation: A safe space for colleagues to share ideas and make suggestions creates pride and psychological safety.
    • Trust: It goes both ways. Employees want to trust their managers, but also be trusted in return. Offering flexibility and autonomy is a powerful way to show trust.
    • Caring: It’s not enough to say you care — you have to show it. Companies that check in, offer emotional support, and prioritise wellbeing tend to create truly great workplaces.

So, does culture really eat strategy for breakfast?
It certainly seems that way. At Harvey John, we work with businesses that understand the value of a strong, shared culture — and with professionals who thrive in environments where people come first.

Discover more insights on what drives retention, performance, and engagement.