Culture Eats Strategy
Building Tomorrow's SMEs on Today's Values Toward a Human-First Culture
Guest Introduction
Christina stands at the intersection of scale and soul, having masterfully navigated Rapid7's evolution from a 75-person startup to a 2,500-strong industry leader over 14 years. But her story isn't just about numbers – it's about understanding that a company's culture is its foundation, not its afterthought. Over the years, Christina gained a profound perspective on the true impact of workplace culture in small-medium enterprises and beyond, leading her to launch her own consulting venture focused on helping companies build cultural foundations that withstand the tests of scale.
From preventing cultural erosion during rapid expansion to creating resilient hybrid teams, Christina offers a unique blend of battle-tested experience and forward-thinking leadership principles. Her approach challenges the conventional wisdom that companies must choose between rapid growth and cultural integrity.
In this conversation, Seb Wichmann and Christina Luconi discuss the critical role of company culture in organizational success. Christina shares her journey from Rapid7 to launching her consulting business, emphasizing the importance of building a strong culture as a foundation for growth. They explore the evolution of culture in the workplace, the challenges leaders face in prioritizing culture, and the distinction between a culture-first approach versus a people-first mindset. Christina highlights the need for intentionality in defining and operationalizing culture to create a thriving work environment. In this conversation, Christina Luconi and Seb Wichmann delve into the importance of core values in shaping company culture. They discuss how to assess and operationalize these values, the critical role of leadership in fostering a strong culture, and the need for alignment between stated values and actual behaviors. Christina shares practical steps for defining values, ensuring their relevance, and creating a cohesive culture that resonates with both employees and customers. The discussion highlights innovative approaches to nurturing culture, emphasizing that it's not just about perks but about creating meaningful experiences.