Culture Isn't a Buzzword

Ask any founder or CEO what makes a company successful, and you’ll get a variety of answers. Some will say it’s the product. Others will say it’s market timing, fundraising, customer acquisition, or a competitive edge in technology. And sure, all of those things matter.

But here’s the truth: none of it matters without a culture that drives execution.

Culture isn’t about team lunches, office perks, or empty mission statements hanging on a wall. Culture is the daily standard that defines how people show up, execute, and hold themselves accountable. And if you aren’t intentional about building it, I promise—it will build itself. The problem? That default culture is usually one of mediocrity, where people do just enough to get by rather than operating like a team that’s playing to win.

That’s why I believe that the culture you build determines the long-term value of your company—full stop.

Culture Drive Execution, Execution Drive Strategy

A lot of leaders talk about company strategy as if it’s something separate from culture, but the reality is this: strategy is only as good as the team executing it. I’ve seen companies with brilliant ideas fail because the execution wasn’t there. And I’ve seen companies with decent products become market leaders because their team refused to accept anything less than world-class execution.

That’s why, at GuideTime, I’m launching an internal initiative based on Ben Newman’s The Standard - not as a feel-good leadership exercise, but as a strategic decision to build a culture that relentlessly drives results.

The initiative is simple in concept but powerful in impact:

• Every team defines their Standard - What does elite execution look like in our role?

• We create accountability loops - Weekly check-ins, public recognition, and a commitment to push each other.

• We reinforce The Standard daily - Because culture isn’t a one-time initiative; it’s built through repetition and expectation.

• We eliminate excuses - Because high-performing teams don’t let circumstances dictate execution.

This isn’t about micromanaging or working people into the ground—it’s about instilling discipline, clarity, and a high-performance mindset that ensures we show up at the highest level every single day.

A High-Performance Culture is a Competitive Advantage

Companies that scale and dominate markets all have one thing in common: a culture of relentless execution.

Think about it. The best teams in the world aren’t always the ones with the best players on paper—they’re the ones with the highest standard of discipline, preparation, and accountability. Business is no different.

Culture directly impacts:

• Speed of execution - Does your team act with urgency, or does bureaucracy slow you down?

• Decision-making - Are employees empowered to own their work, or do they wait for direction?

• Resilience - Do people take ownership, or do they make excuses when things go wrong?

• Recruiting & retention - Are you attracting A-players who want to operate at a high level, or people looking for a cushy job?

When you get this right, culture becomes your greatest moat. It’s what allows you to move faster, adapt better, and execute at a level that your competition simply can’t match.

And ultimately, that culture will be reflected in your long-term enterprise value. Investors don’t just look at revenue—they look at execution. They look at whether a company can sustain growth, innovate, and outperform over the long run. And that comes down to culture.

Most Companies Talk About Culture - Few Are Willing to Build It

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: most companies let their culture happen by accident.

They hire talented people and assume execution will take care of itself. They wait until problems arise before addressing performance standards. They talk about “accountability” in company meetings but don’t actually enforce it.

That’s why I take a different approach.

At GuideTime, we don’t just talk about The Standard. We define it. We hold ourselves to it. We reinforce it every day.

Because here’s the thing—people want to be on a winning team. They want to know that their work matters, that they’re being pushed to grow, and that they’re part of something bigger than themselves. A strong culture doesn’t just drive results for the company—it elevates every single person inside of it.

And when that happens? You don’t just build a great business. You build a legacy.

So here’s my challenge to other leaders: Are you letting your culture happen by default, or are you intentionally shaping it to drive execution, performance, and long-term success?

Because at the end of the day, culture isn’t just an HR initiative. It’s the foundation of everything. And if you aren’t raising the bar, you’re lowering it.

Let’s set The Standard. 🔥

About Jenn - The Patriot Angler