Business first, then... culture

"Let's get our to-do list done, get our revenue in order knock over a few of these big projects and then we can worry about culture. Yes, I know culture is important but we need to get this stuff done first, then we can do culture." This sort of comment is becoming more and more prevalent. Leaders know that culture is important, well, at least they say they do, but they are happy to focus on projects, to dos, busy, and revenue, and push all that before their most important asset ... their people.  So now the people are speaking!
These same leaders are the ones who complain they can't find good people, they can't keep good people, that people won't go the extra mile, that people won't take the initiative, that people aren't satisfied and so it goes. One EXECUTIVE even said "we don't need to do it for the moment. Unemployment is so low it can wait." Unemployment may be low, but so is quiet quitting. The term has been given to people who are turning up to work, going through the motions, feeling unfulfilled, doing work that they feel has no meaning, working in a company with no direction, and basically not knowing what's expected of them. All the ingredients that make up culture.  These same people are also looking around. 
The Most know it's important, it's only the Few that know it is the most important thing to do - prioritise it, set the plan in place, execute every day, demonstrate it through their leadership and play the LONG GAME...whilst at the same time, working on their strategy. 
Photo credit Redd F