Culture Isn’t a Policy Manual

What exactly is corporate culture? Do you really know?

It’s not just policies, products, or procedures. Corporate culture is how people behave when no one’s watching, and how they feel about showing up every day.

It’s the energy in the room, the way feedback is given (or not), and whether people feel safe to speak up or expect to stay quiet. It shapes performance, retention, innovation… everything.

Lesson learned: As a leader, you shape the culture by what you encourage, allow, ignore, or model. If your people dread Mondays, it’s not the calendar, it’s the culture.

We can help you conduct a cultural assessment and enhance your workplace environment.

The Mirror Doesn’t Lie — But It Might Be Foggy

We check our reflection every morning to see how we look to others — but how often do we check how we lead?

360-degree feedback,  like leadership mirrors, shows us how others actually experience our behavior, not just how we think we’re showing up. One executive thought her “tough and directive” style was her superpower… until the mirror revealed otherwise. It was a blind spot she didn’t know existed.

Lesson learned: Self-awareness isn’t optional — it’s essential. If you’re not actively seeking honest feedback, chances are you’re leading with blind spots. And those can be career-limiting.

Ask. Listen. Reflect. Adjust.

What Sets You Off?

“You can tell the size of a man by the size of the thing that makes him mad.” – Adlai Stevenson

In leadership, emotional discipline is everything. If minor inconveniences or ego bruises consistently trigger you, it’s not just a mood issue, it’s a maturity issue.

Lesson learned: Great leaders know how to pause, assess, and respond, not react. They reserve their energy for what truly matters and rise above the noise.

Your ability to stay grounded in the face of small frustrations says more about your leadership than any title ever could.

Paulette Ashlin’s Books:

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