--- title: The Executive Brief Blog | Culture description: Culture | --- [![kystone](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/Keystone%20Executive%20Search%20/Keystone_exec_search_logo@2x.svg)](http://www.keystonesearch.com/) # Category Archive Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as **“culture”** [![Culture Still Matters](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/culture.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/culture-still-matters) ## [Culture Still Matters](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/culture-still-matters) [Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/culture-still-matters) [Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/leadership) [Core Values](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/core-values) [Culture](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture) [![The 5 Key Checkpoints for Evaluating Integrators](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/blog%20images/purple_squirrel.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/the-5-key-checkpoints-for-evaluating-integrators) ## [The 5 Key Checkpoints for Evaluating Integrators](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/the-5-key-checkpoints-for-evaluating-integrators) [Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/the-5-key-checkpoints-for-evaluating-integrators) [Visionary](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/visionary) [Culture](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture) [EOS](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/eos) [Evaluation](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/evaluation) [Hiring](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/hiring) [Integrator](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/integrator) [![3 Key Factors for Avoiding Surprises in a New Role](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/rsz_back_view_of_businessman_with_suitcase_looking_at_city.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/avoiding-surprises-in-a-new-role-3-key-factors) ## [3 Key Factors for Avoiding Surprises in a New Role](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/avoiding-surprises-in-a-new-role-3-key-factors) Have you ever accepted a new position with an uneasy feeling about the company or culture you were entering? During the interview process, everything looked good on the surface - but you can't shake the feeling you hadn't gotten the full story. [Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/avoiding-surprises-in-a-new-role-3-key-factors) [Culture](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture) [Executive Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-leadership) [Hiring](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/hiring) [![Egos and ESOPs - Like Oil and Water](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/rsz_business_people_group_on_meeting_and_presentation__in_bright_modern_office_with_construction_engineer_architect_and_worker_looking_building_model_and_blueprint_planbleprint_plans.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/egos-and-esops-like-oil-and-water) ## [Egos and ESOPs - Like Oil and Water](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/egos-and-esops-like-oil-and-water) During our many years of [recruiting senior level talent for employee-owned companies](http://www.keystonesearch.com/esop), KeyStone Search has discovered [a number of characteristics that a leader must possess to be successful in an ESOP](https://explore.keystonesearch.com/get-your-esop-search-pack). We've also found a few key things that simply **do not** work. Perhaps the most significant red flag ... [Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/egos-and-esops-like-oil-and-water) [Culture](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture) [ESOP](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/esop) [Evaluation](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/evaluation) [Executive Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-leadership) [Executive Search](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-search) [![Don't Leave Your Executive Hire to Chance](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/rsz_casino_roulette_close_up_with_the_ball_on_number_zero.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/dont-diy-your-executive-hire) ## [Don't Leave Your Executive Hire to Chance](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/dont-diy-your-executive-hire) We've discussed [time](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/the-war-for-leadership) and [time again](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/are-you-a-talent-have-or-have-not) the increasing difficulty of making great hires in private companies. In a booming economy with a low unemployment rate, private companies have a difficult time attracting top talent to their companies: this is especially an issue when it comes to executive level ... [Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/dont-diy-your-executive-hire) [Culture](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture) [Evaluation](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/evaluation) [Executive Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-leadership) [Hiring](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/hiring) [Retained Executive Search](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/retained-executive-search) [![Inspire, Respect & Reward: Lessons from Jack Wiley](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/rsz_businessman_shaking_hands_with_a_colleague_in_the_office-1.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/inspire-respect-reward) ## [Inspire, Respect & Reward: Lessons from Jack Wiley](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/inspire-respect-reward) I recently attended a presentation given by [Jack Wiley](http://www.jackwiley.com/home.html), a renowned consultant who has built a career writing, teaching and researching what employees want most and what factors best promote employee engagement, performance confidence and business success. Jack presented findings from his book *[ ...](https://www.amazon.com/Strategic-Employee-Surveys-Evidence-based-Organizational/dp/0470889705/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400179331&sr=1-1&keywords=Strategic+Employee+Surveys%3A+Evidence-based+guidelines+for+driving+organizational+success)* [Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/inspire-respect-reward) [Culture](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture) [Hiring](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/hiring) [Private Companies](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/private-companies) [![Consistent Communication: An Essential Quality of an ESOP Leader](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/blog%20images/Engineer%20with%20mechanical%20worker%20checking%20on%20production.jpeg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/consistent-communication-an-essential-quality-of-an-esop-leader) ## [Consistent Communication: An Essential Quality of an ESOP Leader](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/consistent-communication-an-essential-quality-of-an-esop-leader) KeyStone Search has had the incredible opportunity to work with numerous ESOP companies through leadership succession and transitions. Employee owned companies are some of my favorite clients because they really *get it* when it comes to the importance of cultural fit and alignment. And while ... [Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/consistent-communication-an-essential-quality-of-an-esop-leader) [Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/leadership) [Culture](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture) [ESOP](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/esop) [![The War for Talent Continues](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/rsz_4100330257_5a344caa8e_b.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/are-you-a-talent-have-or-have-not) ## [The War for Talent Continues](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/are-you-a-talent-have-or-have-not)  For CEOs and other executive leaders running a small or mid-sized business, it may be easy to skip right on by [this article](http://www.startribune.com/star-tribune-50-employers-seek-skilled-hands-minds/423210783/) in the Minneapolis Star Tribune last week. It focused on the talent shortage in largest 50 companies in the Minneapolis market. [Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/are-you-a-talent-have-or-have-not) [Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/leadership) [Culture](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture) [Executive Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-leadership) [Executive Recruiting](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-recruiting) [![How Your ESOP Board Can Drive Business Success](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/blog%20images/Employee_engagment.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/how-your-esop-board-can-drive-employee-engagement) ## [How Your ESOP Board Can Drive Business Success](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/how-your-esop-board-can-drive-employee-engagement) Just as in other types of companies, [the Board of Directors in an employee owned company has both legal and fiduciary obligation to their shareholders](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/building-the-ideal-profile-for-your-esops-next-board-member) (in an ESOP, the employee owners). Clearly, the* duty of care* (avoid harm to the corporation),* duty of loyalty* (do not put personal interests ahead ... [Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/how-your-esop-board-can-drive-employee-engagement) [Core Values](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/core-values) [Culture](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture) [ESOP](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/esop) [Board of Directors](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/board-of-directors) [![Building the Ideal Profile for Your ESOP’s Next Board Member](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/blog%20images/ideal_profile.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/building-the-ideal-profile-for-your-esops-next-board-member) ## [Building the Ideal Profile for Your ESOP’s Next Board Member](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/building-the-ideal-profile-for-your-esops-next-board-member) Your Board of Directors is an essential piece of your ESOP – and building the right board for your company requires careful thought, strategy and vetting of potential candidates. The right board will position your company for growth and sustainability by providing input on the company’s business ... [Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/building-the-ideal-profile-for-your-esops-next-board-member) [Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/leadership) [Culture](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture) [ESOP](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/esop) [All posts](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/all) [Next](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture/page/2) ### How aligned are you? [![Is Your Leadership Team Aligned on Your Core Vlaues?](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/General%20Content%20Assets/Core%20Values%20Assessment/KS_Sidebar_CTA_Core_Values_Assessment@2x.png?width=758&height=750&name=KS_Sidebar_CTA_Core_Values_Assessment@2x.png)](https://explore.keystonesearch.com/core-values-assessment) [Take our Core Values Assessment](https://explore.keystonesearch.com/core-values-assessment) so you can create a great culture and acquire the right talent. ### Recent Posts [![Culture Still Matters](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/culture.jpg) ### Culture Still Matters January 31, 2023 ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/culture-still-matters) [![The 5 Key Checkpoints for Evaluating Integrators](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/blog%20images/purple_squirrel.jpg) ### The 5 Key Checkpoints for Evaluating Integrators January 10, 2023 ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/the-5-key-checkpoints-for-evaluating-integrators) [![Challenges and Successes as an ESOP CEO](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/building-a-strong-team-wooden-blocks-with-people-icon-on-pink-human-picture-id1227412970.jpg) ### Challenges and Successes as an ESOP CEO October 21, 2020 ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/new-esop-ceo-2) ### Categories - [Culture (18)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture) - [ESOP (15)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/esop) - [Executive Leadership (15)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-leadership) - [EOS (14)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/eos) - [Integrator (13)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/integrator) - [Visionary (13)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/visionary) - [Hiring (11)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/hiring) - [Leadership (10)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/leadership) - [Executive Search (9)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-search) - [Private Companies (7)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/private-companies) - [Evaluation (6)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/evaluation) - [Retained Executive Search (6)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/retained-executive-search) - [Core Values (4)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/core-values) - [Board of Directors (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/board-of-directors) - [CEO Transition (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/ceo-transition) - [Executive Recruiting (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-recruiting) - [Keystone Updates (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/keystone-updates) - [Strategy (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/strategy) - [CEO Succession (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/ceo-succession) - [Communication (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/communication) - [Human Resources (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/human-resources) - [Mental Horsepower (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/mental-horsepower) - [Succession (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/succession) ### Sign up for updates from KeyStone Search ### Our Mission We help private companies reach the next level of success by securing executive leaders aligned with their vision, goals and values. ### Follow Us [**](https://twitter.com/KeyStone_Search) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/keystone-search) ### Navigation ### Search The Site Search ### Contact 143 Oakwood Rd. Hopkins, MN  55343 [Click here for directions](https://www.google.com/maps/place/7801+E+Bush+Lake+Rd,+Minneapolis,+MN+55439/@44.8609188,-93.3628868,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87f623c196482be9:0xdd13be6201bf0d97!8m2!3d44.8609188!4d-93.3606981) 612-375-8900 | [contact@keystonesearch.com](mailto:contact@keystonesearch.com) © 2015 - 2020 Keystone Search. All Rights Reserved.