Scaling Without Losing the Culture: Per Jacob Solli on Protecting What Made You Successful
Successfully scaling a company while preserving its original culture is a challenge many organizations face as they expand. Growth brings new people, new processes, and often new locations, each of which can dilute what made the company unique in the first place. In response, Per Jacob Solli says that leaders need to be intentional about preserving core values, since these shape the employee experience and drive business outcomes.
By weaving culture into hiring, leadership, communication, and recognition practices, companies can foster a workplace where tradition and innovation coexist. The most resilient organizations are those that view culture as a living element, one that adapts to growth without losing its essence.
The Role of Company Culture
Company culture forms the backbone of any organization’s identity and guides behavior as teams expand. It drives how employees interact, approach challenges, and deliver results, making it a key factor in long-term success. When companies grow quickly, overlooking these shared values can lead to confusion or disengagement. The culture that propelled early achievements may fade if not upheld, leading to a disconnect between leadership and staff that can be difficult to repair.
A clear set of beliefs and practices can offer stability during times of change. Consider a tech company that scaled rapidly but preserved its collaborative spirit, ensuring teams stayed connected and motivated. Neglecting culture, by contrast, often results in high turnover and a loss of competitive edge, especially as new employees struggle to adapt. Maintaining a consistent culture provides a compass for decision-making and a safety net for employees during times of uncertainty.
Obstacles to Maintaining the Culture During Expansion
Rapid growth can stretch a company’s culture thin, leading to teams that feel disconnected from the organization’s original values. As more employees join, it becomes challenging to ensure everyone shares the same sense of purpose. Communication gaps often widen, especially when new offices or remote teams are introduced, making it harder to maintain a unified vision. This issue is magnified when organizations expand internationally, as cultural differences further complicate alignment.
When organizations introduce additional layers of management, bureaucracy can creep in and slow decision-making. This shift may cause employees to feel less empowered and stifle the innovative spirit that once fueled the company’s early achievements. The risk of fragmented teams and misunderstood values grows, threatening to erode the foundation that made the organization successful in the first place. Leaders need to be especially vigilant during periods of rapid hiring and structural change.
Clarifying and Sharing Core Values
A company’s mission, vision, and values should be more than words on a wall; they must be felt and understood at every level. Leaders who weave these principles into daily conversations and decision-making help employees stay anchored during times of growth. When a company consistently reinforces its purpose, even newcomers can quickly grasp what is expected and valued. This becomes even more important when onboarding large cohorts of new staff, as it helps integrate them seamlessly into the existing culture.
Startups that successfully scale often revisit their core values, updating messaging and communication methods to resonate with a larger workforce. Sharing stories that highlight how employees live out these ideals can be a powerful way to keep everyone aligned, making sure the culture evolves rather than gets lost as the organization expands. In some cases, companies use internal newsletters or spotlight sessions to showcase values in action, further embedding them into day-to-day operations.
Hiring and Leading With Culture in Mind
Recruiting with culture in mind means looking beyond the resumes to find people who genuinely align with the organization’s values. When new hires feel a natural connection to the company’s mission, they’re more likely to thrive and contribute positively from day one. Leaders who embody these values set the tone for the entire team, acting as both role models and guides during periods of change.
Effective leadership involves more than setting expectations; it’s about consistently demonstrating the attitudes and behaviors that define the culture. Companies that invest in training managers to nurture and reinforce these principles often see stronger team cohesion and better long-term outcomes. Leadership development programs that emphasize cultural alignment can help uphold the organization’s essence even as it grows.
Communication, Traditions, and Recognition
Transparent communication keeps everyone informed and engaged, especially as organizations grow and become more complex. When traditions are thoughtfully maintained or adapted, they provide a sense of continuity and belonging, even as new faces join the team. Stories about employees who go above and beyond and live out the company’s values can inspire others and create a ripple effect throughout the workplace.
Recognition isn’t just about rewards; it’s also about acknowledging the small ways people contribute to a positive atmosphere. Celebrating achievements, both big and small, reinforces what matters most and helps keep the organizational spirit alive. Informal shout-outs, peer-to-peer recognition, and team celebrations all play a role in maintaining morale and a sense of unity.
Learning from Others
Organizations like Patagonia have shown that prioritizing culture during expansion can lead to greater employee loyalty and brand strength. Leaders who regularly assess their company’s culture and actively seek employee feedback can address issues before they escalate. Simple actions, such as holding regular town halls or conducting surveys, can provide valuable insights and help ensure everyone remains connected to the company’s mission.
Over time, a strong culture not only supports employees but also resonates with customers and partners, setting the business apart in a crowded market. Sustained attention to values and collaboration pays dividends by fostering innovation, trust, and long-term success. In a world where change is constant, it’s the companies that hold tight to their culture that are most likely to thrive.
