Culture Eats Strategy: Embedding Lasting Change in Your Organization

How Small Rituals and Symbols Drive Big Results

Why do so many business transformations fail? Because they focus on strategy, not culture. David Marquet’s experience on the USS Santa Fe shows that lasting change is built on daily habits, visible rituals, and powerful symbols. These practices anchor new behaviors, signal new values, and make transformation real and enduring.

On the Santa Fe, rituals like the three-name greeting and daily accountability updates became the heartbeat of the crew’s new culture. Symbols—like the ceremonial handing over of keys or changes in uniform—reinforced the shift from follower to leader. Over time, these small acts created a sense of identity and belonging that outlasted any single leader.

Research shows that organizations with strong cultures outperform their peers, adapt more quickly to change, and retain top talent. To embed change, leaders must create rituals that reinforce desired behaviors, use symbols to anchor new norms, and practice consistency above all else.

Whether you’re leading a team, a department, or an entire company, remember: culture eats strategy for breakfast. Invest in the daily practices that shape your organization’s identity, and you’ll build a legacy that lasts.