Cultivating an Everyone Culture: Putting People First

TL;DR: When you invest in your people, you invest in your company’s success.
Organizations that embrace "People First, Culture Second, Money Third" create a sustainable workplace where employees are motivated, fulfilled, and continuously improving—fueling lasting business growth.

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At any workplace, company culture shapes how employees operate and interact. While most organizations strive for a “positive” work culture—one that balances high productivity with a supportive and enjoyable environment—there can often be a disconnect between what a company values and what its employees prioritize. This raises an important question: how can companies cultivate a culture that drives financial growth while also fostering both personal and professional development for its employees?  

At Forge, we've built our culture around the principles in An Everyone Culture: Becoming a Deliberately Developmental Organization by Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey. This framework prioritizes people first, culture second, and money third. Here’s how we put these priorities into practice—and how your organization can, too.
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People First: ‍

At Forge, personal and professional development takes precedence. We encourage employees to embrace challenges, welcome feedback, and continuously grow by:

• Expanding professional networks – Employees actively participate in organizations like the Orange County Public Relations Society of America (OCPRSA) and Toastmasters to refine public speaking skills and build connections.
• Prioritizing health and well-being – Mental health breaks, therapy, and medical appointments are fully supported.
• Normalizing personal growth discussions – Employees feel comfortable sharing goals and mapping out paths to achieve them.

Culture Second: 

When individual growth is prioritized, a strong, collaborative culture follows. We foster this by:

• Encouraging psychological safety – Employees feel safe admitting mistakes, seeking help, and sharing challenges.
• Holding regular personal development sessions – Team-building activities (e.g., TGIF meetings) strengthen dynamics.
• Conducting daily “hot items” meetings – Keeping everyone aligned and informed on projects ensures efficiency.

Money Third:

Traditional corporate thinking often puts financial outcomes first, leading to short-term decision-making. At Forge, we believe that when people are growing and culture is thriving, business success follows naturally. Valued, challenged, and engaged employees drive long-term success.