ABSTRACT
The first step in creating a performance-enhancing culture is for the leadership of the organisation, primarily the CEO, to establish the right climate by being consistent in its core values and behaviours. Actually changing the culture in any organisation takes longer and requires the engagement and commitment of most of its people. The chapter defines the two most important words that are climate and culture. Climate is about setting the scene and the style and communicating and role-modelling the philosophy, attitude, spirit, beliefs and values of the organisation. Climate impacts culture, for good or bad, rather than the other way around. The truth is that most people in most organisations don't fully understand their role, what the organisation or their line manager expects of them, or their level of accountability and responsibility. So often too much is left in the foggy world of assumptions – on both sides.
