Scaling Culture: How Values Can Grow With the Organization

This article explores how companies can maintain strong core values and culture as they experience growth and scaling of operations. While values provide important guidance in early stages, expanding teams introduces challenges to adhering to founding principles. Research shows values shape organizational culture and motivate employees, especially during uncertainty. However, scales present complexities like dispersed teams and reduced direct leadership oversight. The article discusses frameworks for thoughtfully anchoring growth within a foundation of shared values and purpose. Case studies of Patagonia and Zappos illustrate integrating values into aligned hiring, training, governance and advocacy at all levels. When exemplified and incentivized through visible leadership and coherent systems, values can strengthen culture as companies expand globally. With application of structures and practices, values can scale upward with business success over time.