A lot of leaders know they want and need to develop a company culture, but they struggle with where to start.
Dave Kuhnert reminds us that competence builds confidence and that clarity is the foundation of competence. In our conversation, we talk about how having clarity of your purpose and values and then bringing that clarity about who we are, what we value, and how that shows up day-to-day work to your team is what really sets the foundation for culture.
We talk about how Dave didn’t become a leader overnight, but developed those skills over decades through repetition, responsibility, and experience. And we also get into servant leadership, which can be a tricky concept to put into practice, and what that actually looks like day to day and when things get tough. Because, as Dave says, servant leadership is not just about handing out candy and being “nice.”
Dave Kuhnert served in the Army Infantry for 23 years, where he served at every level of leadership. He retired in 2011 as a Command Sergeant Major. He subsequently joined CrownQuest Operating in Midland, TX. The culture he helped create there was critical in taking the company from $500 million to $12 Billion in thirteen years.
Dave currently works as a leadership and business coach with numerous for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. His book, Servant Leadership, and training materials are used by numerous organizations around the world.
Listen to the full episode to hear:
- How repetition and progressive responsibility built Dave’s competence and confidence as a leader over the course of his military service
- Why effectively building culture starts with clarity and unity of purpose
- How incentivization structures can help or hurt
- The mental models that help people implement what they’ve learned
- Why servant leadership often gets more challenging as organizations grow
Learn More About Dave Kuhnert:
Learn More About Heather Smith:
What is Culture By Design?
Meet business owners and executives who recognize that employee culture is too important to be left to chance. Each week, we dive into how companies like yours transform accidental norms into purposeful strategies that accelerate growth while enabling employees to thrive. If you're eager to turn culture into a competitive advantage for your small or mid-sized business, Heather Smith, CEO of Talent Elevated, will give you practical strategies for designing culture with intention and unlocking employee potential. Find the clarity, focus, and actionable insights to build a workplace where your team is invested in their work, their colleagues, and the company mission—even when business priorities feel overwhelming.