Culture isn’t abstract. It’s the result of a thousand small decisions. If those decisions aren’t intentional, they’re probably costing you more than you think. What is something that separates teams that sustain momentum from those that burn out? Habits. Not values statements. Not vision boards. Habits. Here are 12 that quietly reveal where your culture really stands. Quick Yes/No check: 1. Ban Internal Emails → Are inboxes focused on clients? → Is team chatter off email? 2. Use One Hub → Can people find what they need fast? → Are files in one place? 3. Default to Async → Do you ask, “Could this be async?” → Are updates short and clear? 4. Traffic-Light Reporting → Are statuses updated weekly? → Can you spot red/yellow/green instantly? 5. Self-Set Deadlines → Do you ask, “When can you deliver?” → Do people own their timelines? 6. Protect PTO → Is time off actively supported? → Are calendars blocked during breaks? 7. Role-Model Onboarding → Do you show how work happens? → Do new hires work with someone on Day 1? 8. Tie Goals to Purpose → Do goals link to mission? → Do briefs start with “This matters because…”? 9. Document Everything → Is knowledge easy to find? → Are decisions written down? 10. Respect Time → Are events during work hours? → Is after-hours truly optional? 11. Build Feedback Loops → Is there space for “What’s not working?” → Is course correction normal? 12. Celebrate Gently → Do traditions energize, not exhaust? → Can people opt in with no pressure? Your score: 🟢 10–12: Culture is solid 🟡 7–9: You’re close—watch for cracks 🟠 4–6: Culture may be costing you talent 🔴 0–3: Time for a reset Whatever your score, you're not alone. Building culture while hitting goals and managing chaos? It’s a lot. The good news: Culture doesn’t need a full overhaul. Just one small shift. One habit at a time. Start with the one that made you pause. The one where you thought, “We need to fix that.” Start there. And step by step, you’ll get where you want to go. ♻️ If this resonates, repost for your network.