Get These 5 Things Right to Improve Your Culture

GRASS is my shorthand for remembering the five areas that matter most when it comes to leading and shifting culture: Gatherings, Rituals, Actions, Symbols, and Stories.

These are the core elements that leaders can focus on daily to create meaningful cultural shifts.

Why GRASS?

The metaphor of grass is useful for understanding culture:

• Grass needs care and maintenance; it’s not a one-and-done intervention.
• It can be wild or a well-trimmed lawn—both are beautiful when they’re healthy.
• Even in the best grass, weeds can grow.
• There are many varieties of grass. It can grow from seed, be imported as turf, or you can work with what you have.
• The grass looks greener on the other side, but it’s greenest where you water it.
• A complex root system connects individual blades, creating strength in unity.
• While experts and resources exist, nothing beats the experience of caring for your own grass.

GRASS simplifies culture and makes it actionable. It’s designed for leaders who want a clear way to think about their culture and, more importantly, know what to do to shift it.

The GRASS Framework

1. Gatherings: How and why you bring people together.
2. Rituals: Shared behaviours that create meaning and connection.
3. Actions: The things you do—especially when you think no one is watching.
4. Symbols: The visible signs that reflect and shape your culture.
5. Stories: The narratives that define who you are and what matters most.

Small Shifts Make Big Changes

GRASS isn’t about overhauling everything at once. It’s about identifying small, everyday actions that can create lasting cultural change.

What small shift could you make today to grow your GRASS?

Try These Experiments

1. Personal Symbols Audit:

   • Look at the symbols you use every day, from your coffee mug to your choice of office attire.
   • What are you paying attention to? What messages might you be inadvertently sending to your team?

2. Review Your Rituals:

   • Which team rituals have lost their meaning?
   • What daily rituals could you redesign to make them more meaningful?
   • Are your rituals aligned with what matters most to you and your team?

“I love the GRASS framework, which provides a way to force oneself into considering the total cultural landscape.” – Andrew Matuszczak

To dive deeper into GRASS, check out my book, Shift: Everyday Actions Leaders Can Take to Shift Culture.