Understanding what culture is and why it matters helps in creating core values that foster a high-performance team.

Culture is a nebulous concept, but it's crucial for early-stage founders to break it down into manageable action items to foster a positive work environment.

Strong cultures align the values and behaviors of the team with what the company needs to succeed; it's about intentionality in building that culture.

Company culture is vital for long-term success, even if it doesn't seem like an immediate risk. As The Muse grew from 12 to over 80 employees, I realized that establishing core values and ensuring alignment during hiring is essential for maintaining a strong culture. The culture screen of asking if you'd want to get a beer with someone can overlook incredible candidates who are different from you.

Culture is about who you are and how you behave; it's essential to be intentional about the culture you create within your team.

Establishing a strong company culture from the beginning is vital; it guides decision-making and helps employees align with the company's values and goals.

To create a strong culture, start with the founder's personal values and the types of people they want to work with.

At the early stage of your startup, it's important to think about culture because the first 20 employees will shape the company's cultural DNA and influence future hiring and training.

Company culture is incredibly important; it determines whether you can build and retain a great team and whether people want to work at your company.