Culture Eats Strategy for Lunch

Leadership Competencies

Leadership competency models translate your values and cultural attributes into the behaviors required for leaders at all levels to succeed at your company. When used effectively, they provide the foundation for many of your people practices, such as talent management and talent acquisition. 


Our approach to competency modeling is pragmatic finding the balance between customization and practicality. Equipped with a solid understanding of your current culture and future aspirations, we partner with you to create a high-level model. Once approved, we leverage our database of past models and on-line research to build a ‘strawman’ of your multi-level model. The detailed version identifies the behaviors expected by leadership levels within each competency. You help us refine this, so the language is appropriate, and the model focuses on the behaviors most important for success. With the ‘strawman’ complete, it is time to test the model using employee focus groups and executive interviews. This iterative process continues until we have a final product that is ready to be the foundation of your people practices.


Competency Based Tools  Finally, we can help you develop tools and figure out how to best introduce the model, so managers and employees see its value and want to use it. For example, instead of introducing the competency model as part of goal setting and performance appraisal, why not focus on employee development and provide them with a Development Guide?  A Development Guide identifies on-the-job activities, training programs, and developmental assignments for each competency. Providing managers and employees with a tool like this is a great way to let them know the company cares and is taking concrete steps to help them reach their full potential and succeed.


The good news is we have decades of experience creating these types of tools. This allows us to draw on previous tools and on-line research, which fast tracks the design process and makes it affordable. Typically, we work together to identify content blocks and related messaging which is used to create a draft. At the same time, we start working on the development suggestions for each of the competencies that includes relevant training and other learning resources available at your company. The review and approval process proceeds in an iterative manner until the Development Guide is complete. With the content approved, you embed the content in a branded brochure, website tools, and other vehicles that make it easy for managers and employees to access and use. 

Culture Change

Culture change can happen quickly. The challenge is to create a culture by design versus default - a culture that is aligned with strategy to achieve your goals. It isn't hard when you combine sustained leader engagement with a disciplined, intentional and business-driven approach to culture.


Our passion is helping leaders create great organizations with great cultures and we want to share what we know with you. Our culture change practice is led by Dr. Nancie Evans, a leading expert with over 30 years experience. She knows what works and what doesn't and is excited to share her knowledge with others. This is of tremendous value to leaders, HR/OD professionals and consultants who need solutions that deliver proven results.


Over 30 Years of Culture Change Experience  Dr. Evans and her team partner with you to deliver an approach that is tailored to your specific needs. Sometimes, this is meeting with executives or designing/delivering culture change modules in leadership development programs. If you're a senior HR/OD leader, a popular option is to use us as behind-the-scenes advisors providing input and feedback to help you and your team on your culture journey. Alternatively, a strategic partnership where, for all intents and purposes, we are a part or full-time member of your team might best suit your needs.

Why partner with us?  As your strategic partner, we work hand-in-hand or behind the scenes providing guidance and coaching to your team to optimize the effectiveness of your culture integration and change efforts. Where appropriate, this includes the customization and/or use of our methodology, materials, and tools as well as the development of additional resources.

  • In-Depth Knowledge Transfer and Capability Development - Our partnering approach provides HR/OD professionals with an intensive learning experience. Working in partnership with Dr. Evans and her team, they acquire deep knowledge of proven approaches and methodologies for conducting effective culture change.
  • Repeatable and Reusable Methodologies – The methodologies and materials provided can be applied across the business and in future culture change initiatives. This allows for economies to be achieved by mitigating initial costs with long-term savings.
  • Proven and Reliable Approach and Expertise – We’ve done this before. By providing proven methodologies, materials, and our extensive expertise in culture change, we can all but guarantee a successful outcome.
  • Practical, Just-In-Time Approach – We recognize the competing demands on people's time, energy, and attention. The methodologies and approach we use are designed to optimize involvement by focusing on priorities and engaging the right people at the right time.
  • Accelerated Timelines and Results – Our approach draws on agile practices to achieve fast and effective culture change. By focusing on short-term deliverables, an 80-20 rule to design and constant monitoring and course corrections, we help the change proceed in a quick and effective manner.