Use Company Culture to Cultivate Great Managers

Introduction

Great managers are the cornerstone of thriving organizations. They shape employee engagement, drive business performance, and foster workplace culture. Yet, according to Gallup, 70% of team engagement is directly influenced by managers. However, most organizations fail to equip managers with the tools needed to lead effectively. The result? 49% of employees consider leaving their job due to poor management (SHRM).

At The Culture Fix®, we believe that strong managers don’t just happen—they are cultivated through a values-driven culture. Companies like Turnberry, Pass The Keys, and Zaizi have transformed their leadership teams using CoreVals™, the Culture Fulfillment Program, and practical tools like Notice & Nominate™ and CoreScore™. These organizations have seen measurable improvements in leadership alignment, employee engagement, and business outcomes.

Why Culture Shapes Great Managers

Many organizations promote high-performing employees to management roles but fail to provide the cultural framework necessary for leadership success. When managers lack clear expectations beyond KPIs, they struggle with decision-making, accountability, and team engagement.

By embedding CoreVals™ into management training, companies can:

• Ensure leadership consistency.
• Improve decision-making through values-based frameworks.
• Foster a culture of accountability and engagement.

Case Study: How Turnberry Strengthened Leadership with CoreVals™

Turnberry, a fast-growing food ingredients company in the Philippines, realized that performance metrics alone weren’t enough to build a cohesive, high-performing team. Their leadership team—=CEO, Sales Manager, Finance Manager, and HR Manager—partnered with The Culture Fix® to implement the Culture Fulfillment Program.

Key Initiatives:

• CoreScore™ Implementation: Managers were assessed on performance and cultural alignment, creating a well-rounded evaluation system.
• CoreChart™ Development: Their values—Independent Thinking, Right Balance, Achievement, Customer Focus, and Malasakit—were visually embedded into daily operations.
• Notice & Nominate™ Program: Employees recognized managers who embodied company values, reinforcing strong leadership behaviors.

The Outcome: Turnberry experienced a 235% business growth over two years, attributing much of their success to their culture-first management approach.

Building Manager Accountability Through Culture

When managers operate in a culture with clear values and expectations, accountability becomes a natural part of leadership. At Pass The Keys, a UK-based property management company, CEO Alexander Lyakhotskiy recognized the need for greater alignment among his leadership team.

Before partnering with The Culture Fix®, Pass The Keys had six long, forgettable values. After implementing the Culture Fulfillment Program, they distilled them into four memorable CoreVals™: Drive, Evolve Together, Take Pride, and Innovate.

To reinforce accountability, they implemented:

• Culture Alignment Interviews: Performance reviews included a culture-based assessment, ensuring managers upheld values.
• Catch & Correct™: A structured approach to addressing leadership behaviors that deviated from CoreVals™.
• Legend & Diamond Awards: A customized Notice & Nominate™ program recognizing managers who exemplified company values.

The Results: Pass The Keys saw a measurable culture shift, with 78.1% of employees reporting a more positive work experience post-Culture Fulfillment.

Recognition: The Secret to Leadership Development

At Zaizi, a digital services company in the UK, leadership knew that recognizing managers for living CoreVals™ was key to sustained engagement.

To embed their values—People, Passion, and Purpose—into their leadership framework, they:

• Created a Company Theme Song: Played at weekly meetings, reinforcing culture alignment.
• Designed a CoreChart™: A visual representation of CoreVals™, ensuring managers had a constant reference point.
• Implemented Notice & Nominate™: Employees highlighted when managers demonstrated company values, fostering a culture of appreciation.

By integrating these initiatives, Zaizi saw higher leadership engagement, better manager-employee relationships, and a more cohesive workplace culture​.

The Role of Organizational Culture Surveys in Leadership Development

An Organizational Culture Survey provides invaluable insights into leadership effectiveness and cultural alignment. The Culture Fix®’s Culture Survey evaluates key areas such as:

• Leadership alignment with CoreVals™
• Managerial effectiveness in fostering engagement
• Employee perception of workplace culture

Companies like CB&A and A-Action Pest Control have used The Culture Fix® survey to assess leadership culture gaps, implement targeted improvements, and track progress over time​.

Take Action: Use Culture to Develop Stronger Managers

If your managers aren’t leading with values, your business will struggle. Here’s how to create culture-driven leadership:

• Define Your CoreVals™ – Ensure your values are clear, concise, and woven into leadership expectations.
• Embed Culture into Leadership Training – Use Culture Fulfillment™ to train managers on values-driven decision-making.
• Create Accountability Structures – Implement CoreScore™ and Catch & Correct™ to align leadership behaviors.
• Recognize and Reward Leadership Excellence – Use Notice & Nominate™ to reinforce positive management practices.
• Measure Cultural Alignment – Utilize The Culture Fix Organizational Culture Survey to track managerial impact and progress.

Final Thoughts

Great managers aren’t just hired—they are cultivated through culture. Organizations that integrate CoreVals™ into leadership development create managers who inspire, engage, and drive long-term success.

Is your company ready to build a culture of great leadership? Start by assessing your management team with The Culture Fix® Organizational Culture Survey today.​