Episode

12: Is Culture more important than Strategy?

June 10, 2025

Rittener Reflections

Rittener Reflections

12: Is Culture more important than Strategy?

00:00 / 28:23

Please join me for episode 12, part one of Rittener Reflections as I am joined by Ken Wilcox the former CEO of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) from 2001 to 2011 and CEO of SVB’s joint venture with the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank in Shanghai until 2015.

Ken is also the author of two books. The first published in 2020 is “Leading Through Culture: How Real Leaders Create Cultures That Motivate People to Achieve Great Things” and the second published in 2024 is “The China Business Conundrum: Ensure That “Win-Win” Doesn’t Mean Western Companies Lose Twice.

In the first segment of Episode 12, Ken and I will explore his perspective that culture takes precedence over strategy and will discuss several key leadership practices that inspire individuals to achieve exceptional outcomes.

In the second segment, which will be released soon, Ken will share insights drawn from his four years of experience working in and with China. He will offer candid, timely, and vital guidance on conducting business in China, covering aspects that are not commonly addressed.

I hope you will enjoy these timely discussions.

Leading Through Culture: How Real Leaders Create Cultures That Motivate People to Achieve Great Things – https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Through-Culture-Cultures-Motivate/dp/1949003353

Comments

One response to “12: Is Culture more important than Strategy?”

June 24, 2025

Phil Wilton

There are two institutions that govern the world of business.
The first is formal institutions, the second is informal institutions.
The first dictates laws, rules, and regulations that govern how one must, should, and can organize a business.
The second institution consists of culture, ethics, and norms.
What is the most important institution?
It’s the second one, as that fills in the gaps that the first institution cannot legislate, suggest, or guide organizations through. Therefore, culture is very important.

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