What does workplace culture entail? Free lunches, team outings and shout-outs at milestones often come to mind, but I believe there are many more intangible aspects to it. It is the value system that a CEO contributes to the company’s DNA which allows employees to distinguish between right and wrong, and do the right thing without being told. Compare United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, for example. In a complex, high-touch industry like aviation, both companies have experienced their fair share of potentially reputation-damaging incidents. But their responses to emergencies couldn't be more different. Southwest's sensitivity and customer-first approach as seen in the recent NYC-Dallas flight incident (read here: https://on.wsj.com/2IXGDq0 ) stands starkly at odds with the careless and insensitive damage control measures taken too often by United Airlines to list here. My advice to founders and CEOs of startups is to never underestimate the importance of company values and culture. Yes, it is important to focus on building a strong product, acquire and retain customers, hire the best talent and scale the business. But it is only fruitful when employees align with your company's value systems. Culture should be a CEO’s priority from day-1. https://lnkd.in/f22RXWZ …see more