ABSTRACT
This chapter describes culture in terms of how it can help drive performance and accountability, and how a performance management system is needed as well. It describes how culture and culture change are important issues that are now driven by the Chief Learning Officers (CLOs) in organizations. Performance, innovation, and culture are very connected concepts. Strong-culture firms often have a vibrant storytelling tradition. For example, FedEx is extremely proud of some of the stories that have been generated over the years as individuals have made extraordinary efforts to deliver packages. According to an article in Forbes magazine, changing an organization's culture is one of the most difficult leadership challenges. The CLO is extremely important when it comes to creating a new organizational culture, argues John Mattone, an executive coach and author of eight books. Performance management systems exist in every organization, ranging from loosely organized approaches in smaller firms to very detailed, documented, and bureaucratic functions in many large companies.
