Workplace culture: why boards can’t afford blind spots

Workplace culture is the collective behaviour, beliefs and shared experiences of a group of people at work. It is the foundation of organisational performance, trust, resilience and success. 

Boards that overlook culture risk more than reputational damage; they risk systemic failures that can lead to fraud, compliance breaches, and costly crises.

Why workplace culture matters

Workplace culture shapes how decisions are made, how risks are managed, and whether employees feel safe to speak up. Strong cultures drive innovation and accountability. Weak cultures create conditions where misconduct thrives, which often leads to regulatory breaches and significant reputational and financial damage.

Understanding the link between culture and organisational performance is essential. 

The board’s role in shaping a positive workplace culture

Culture starts at the top. Boards set the tone, define values, and hold executive management accountable - the type of leaderships that sets a tone of integrity. Silence on cultural issues signals acceptance - and that’s a risk no organisation can afford. 

Workplace culture guide

We have put a 'workplace culture guide' together - for boards to turn cultural insights into better governance decisions.

What’s inside the guide:

• Practical steps for governing culture effectively.
• Warning signs of cultural risk and fraud.
• How to measure culture beyond dashboards.
• Tools for boards to turn insights into action