#95 | 5.23.25 - The Culture Equation / 23 Simple Life Hacks / Weighted Decision Matrix Calculator / I Still Don't Know

May 23, 2025

Hello, friends, and welcome to Further Faster Fridays!

If this is your first issue, welcome! We ship the best content in personal development and leadership each Friday to help you go further, faster. Glad to have you as part of the community!

Now, on to the content!

The Culture Equation

It’s no secret that culture isn’t built in a day. It’s not defined solely by mission statements, posters on the wall, or even the values we list on our websites. Instead, culture is shaped every single day by our actions and our reactions.

I came across a quote a while ago that perfectly captures this idea:
“Culture is the sum of everything you celebrate minus everything you tolerate.”

It’s a simple formula, yet it holds profound truth for leaders at every level.

What Are You Celebrating?

Celebration is more than just throwing parties or giving out awards. It’s about recognizing and amplifying the behaviors, achievements, and attitudes you want to see more of. When you celebrate innovation, teamwork, resilience, or integrity, you send a clear signal: “This is who we are.” These moments of recognition ripple through your organization, inspiring others to follow suit.

Ask your team:

What are we really proud of?
What do we want to be known for?

What Are You Tolerating?

On the flip side, what you tolerate quietly becomes part of your culture, whether you like it or not. I would go so far as to say what you tolerate becomes the enemy of what you celebrate. If you allow negativity, gossip, missed deadlines, or unethical behavior to go unchecked, you’re giving those actions your silent approval.

Ask your team:

What behaviors and/or actions are we tolerating?
Why are we tolerating them?

Action Steps

Be intentional about recognition. Make it a habit to call out positive behaviors, big and small.
Address issues promptly. Don’t let negative behaviors fester. Address them directly and constructively.
Model the culture you want. Your actions speak louder than any words or policies.
Ask for feedback. Encourage your team to share what they see being celebrated or tolerated. (This one is super powerful!)

The culture you build is the sum of your daily choices. By being intentional about what you celebrate and what you tolerate, you shape an environment where people can thrive, innovate, and do their best work.