“The culture of any organization is shaped by the worst behavior the leader is willing to tolerate.” Grunter and Whitaker

Defining culture is a complicated task. Basically, culture involves common experiences within a definable group. Geert Hofstede says that culture consists of shared mental programs that condition a person’s response to their environment.

Consider the implications of this definition as it relates to the worst behavior tolerated by leadership. If the response of individuals within the organization emulates the lowest level of behavior tolerated by leaders, what cultural identity will characterize the organization?

The result of allowing this behavior to continue is contagious, discouraging, and destructive to the success of the organization.

Taking this idea into a biblical context and the growth of the church, we begin to see the reason for God’s discipline.

Regardless of the level enforced, today’s thought indicates that whatever behavior is tolerated by an organization’s leaders shapes its culture. This thought  should move leaders to reconsider what they are tolerating.

The success of organizational development is worth the effort to raise the standard of behavior by the discipline needed to insure a stronger culture.