Types of Culture
We define culture as the way that members of the organization relate to each other, their work, and the outside world, which distinguishes them from other organizations.
Organizational culture is more than just a set of values—it’s the DNA that shapes how people work, collaborate, and drive results. But culture isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. To truly understand it, organizations must look at culture through two complementary lenses:
Cultural Archetypes – These define the broad characteristics and identity of an organization, such as being collaborative (Clan), innovative (Adhocracy), competitive (Market), structured (Hierarchy), purpose-driven, or a hybrid of multiple cultures. These archetypes help organizations recognize their dominant cultural traits and how they impact business performance.
Cultural States – These describe the experience and evolution of culture over time. Organizations have an Actual Culture (how things truly operate), a Perceived Culture (how employees and stakeholders interpret it), an Ideal Culture (the culture employees aspire to), and an Optimal Culture (the culture best aligned with business strategy). Understanding these states helps organizations identify gaps and align their culture with their long-term goals.
By exploring these two perspectives together, organizations gain a clear, actionable understanding of their culture—not only defining what it is today but also shaping where it needs to go. Whether you’re looking to strengthen collaboration, drive innovation, or create a culture that fuels long-term success, these insights will help you navigate and transform your organization’s cultural landscape.
At Dynamic Perspectives, we empower organizations to harness the power of cultural archetypes and cultural states to drive innovation, agility, and market leadership. By understanding how culture shapes decision-making, collaboration, and adaptability, we help businesses build environments where employees thrive, strategies align, and growth accelerates.
Through tailored assessments, strategic workshops, and actionable change initiatives, we guide organizations in shifting their culture toward one that fosters innovation, resilience, and market leadership. Whether you need to enhance agility, streamline operations, or create a culture that attracts top talent, Dynamic Perspectives provides the expertise to make lasting cultural change a competitive advantage.
Build a Culture That Fuels Innovation and Success
Contact Dynamic Perspectives today to explore how we can help your organization evolve into an industry leader with a culture built for the future.
