Ghosts of Culture Past, Present, and Future.

“When a cold wind blows it chills you....CHILLS YA TO THE BONE!”

The Muppet Christmas Carol has always been a family favorite in our house. Who doesn’t love a bit of Dickens with a side of Kermit and Gonzo? Watching it (for the 472nd time) over the weekend, unable to switch off my work brain, my thoughts turned to culture.

The story of Scrooge and his ghostly visitors got me thinking: what if the same three-ghost framework could help us reflect on the culture in our businesses? We all carry the echoes of past practices, face the realities of today, and shape the culture of tomorrow.

So, with some creative license, a bit of tongue in cheek (it’s Christmas!) and a generous sprinkle of “Why am I like this?”, here’s a culture-focused take on the tale: the Ghosts of Culture Past, Present, and Future.

The Ghost of Culture Past:

Reminders of what was once considered acceptable but no longer serves a modern, human-centered workplace.

Command-and-control leadership: A time when leaders dictated and employees complied, with no room for collaboration or innovation.

Rigid hierarchies: When only those at the top had a voice, and ideas from the frontline were ignored.

Disregard for well-being: Hustle culture, long hours, and viewing employees as resources rather than people.

Homogeneity over diversity: Hiring for "cultural fit" rather than "culture add," leading to echo chambers instead of fresh perspectives.

Surveillance over trust and engagement: Monitoring team members instead of empowering them and engaging them.

These practices may have worked in the past, but clinging to them now will leave your organisation stuck in a past that no longer aligns with the expectations of modern team members…or customers.

The Ghost of Culture Present:

This ghost forces you to confront the here and now. The realities of your current culture. It shines a light on the cracks you might have ignored, the challenges you face, and the areas in need of transformation.

Disconnection: Are your teams aligned to a shared purpose, or are they working in silos? Do your people feel valued, or are they disengaged?

Stifled innovation: Do you reward and recognise innovation. Or worse…does fear of failure or micromanagement keep your people from sharing bold ideas? 

Lack of trust: Do employees trust leadership to have their best interests at heart, or is there a culture of skepticism or burnout?

Unclear values: Are your stated values just words on a wall, or are they actively shaping decisions and behaviors?

The Ghost of Culture Present reveals the areas where you’ve grown comfortable but that are silently holding you back.

The Ghost of Culture Future

The most chilling of the three, this ghost shows what might happen if you fail to humanise your business and address the cultural challenges haunting you today.

Attrition and disengagement: Talented employees leave, taking their skills and ideas to competitors who prioritise people and purpose.

Irrelevance: Customers and clients notice the lack of authenticity and alignment within your business, opting for competitors with a clear and vibrant culture.

Stagnation: Without trust, innovation, or collaboration, your business struggles to adapt to change, eventually losing its competitive edge.

A tarnished legacy: Instead of building something enduring, your business becomes another cautionary tale of missed opportunities and outdated thinking.

The future is not set in stone, but without change, the trajectory is clear.

The question is: What’s your favourite Christmas film?...