Why Family Culture Is Just As Important as Company Culture

When companies authentically invest in their culture, people feel seen, heard, valued and respected. Connections deepen. Collaboration soars. They come together around a higher purpose and achieve extraordinary results.

When you invest in your family culture, the same amazing things happen.

You might not think your family has a culture, but it does—even if you’ve never spent time defining it. The core of your culture is shaped by many things: How you were raised, the way you communicate, how you treat each other, and the rituals and traditions you all share. Your family culture creates a powerful foundation for how parents and kids navigate and think about the world.

If you’re a parent or planning to become one, maybe you love the idea of passing down some of your inherited family values to your own family unit. Or, maybe you want to break some long-standing negative dynamics. Either way, it’s never too early or too late to think about the kind of family culture you want to create.

Here’s an example of culture from my own family. I grew up reciting the same daily affirmation before dinner: “Every day, in every way, with God’s help and your love, I get better and better.” That saying was the seed that grew into Live Bright Now. All these years later, my husband and I repeat these same words each night. Some of our closest friends have adopted it as part of their family culture, too.

Why is this important? Because in the midst of this pandemic, suddenly families around the globe are figuring out how to simply be with each other in ways they’ve never dreamed of. Families must rely on each other for everything from safety and supplies to entertainment and fun. That would be a huge ask during the best of times. During this period of exceptional “closeness,” you might be wondering, “How will we get through it?”

We will—and taking some time right now to reflect on, define, and articulate your family culture can go a long way in helping you all cope. Can you imagine coming together right now as a family with clarity, compassion, and a shared purpose? As a leadership coach, I’ve seen the magic that happens when teams pause to talk about what they stand for, where they’re going, and how they’ll get there together. I use the same approach to guide families to create a bright culture at home. And it’s much easier than you might think.

Consciously identifying your family culture—what it is, what it’s not, and what you’d like it to become—can make challenging times more manageable. Perhaps even more importantly, it means that when we emerge on the other side of this crisis, everyone in your family will feel more connected, valued, confident—and loved.

Need help investing in your family culture? Get in touch.