(P) What is the impact of a CEO on the Organizational Culture

Values are those who define and guide our way in life. In all its areas: personal aspirations, interests, beliefs, career path. They tell us about what we want to achieve, with who we want to travel along, both in business and day to day life. They tell about what we appreciate, stand up for, fight for and about things, areas of interests and people we will not click with. When we talk about professional life, values are the ones that explain why a person wants certain things, has certain aspirations, appreciates certain behaviors in other people. Have you ever wondered why companies’ cultures are different? Well, companies are run by different leaders, with different values, who care about different things. And leaders at the top are those who shape [organizational culture](http://www.hart.ro/en/hr-strategic-conference/6th-edition-ceos-and- organizational-culture-what-makes-it-or-breaks-it). Let’s think about J.F. Kennedy’s dream, and how he expressed it in a memorable speech. To be the first nation that puts the foot on the Moon. “We choose to go to the moon”, he said. “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.“ Let’s imagine what type of culture such a leader will create around him. Probably the heroes of the organization will be those full of passion, believing first step in uncertain water is feasible, those who would fight for big unrealistic ambitions, and those who strive for achievement, success, career fulfillment. Prof dr. Robert Hogan, one of the most reputable figures in personality study and leadership research, talks about 10 core values and drivers that can define a person’s identity, philosophy of life, career interests, beliefs.

• Recognition – Concerns valuing fame, visibility, and publicity; interested in being known and recognized.In high Recognition cultures, accomplishment, productivity, and apparent success are recognized in a prompt and public fashion.
• Power – Concerns valuing competition, achievement, and being perceived as influential; interested in challenge, competition, and a lifestyle organized around worldly success. A high Power culture one that is primarily concerned with results. This culture is aggressive, competitive, and results-oriented.
• Hedonism – Concerns valuing fun, good company, and good times; interested in pleasure, excitement, and variety.