There is the firm that leadership thinks it runs, the firm that people actually experience, and the firm that the market believes it is. They are not always the same firm. Ask a leadership team to describe their culture and you will probably hear: “collaborative”,” meritocratic”, “supportive”, “high-performing”, or “people-first”. Now ask current employees, former employees, recruiters who work in your market, or candidates who have turned your offer down. You may hear: “Great training, but...

By Lebo Hlatshwayo A multinational retailer hired a COO from a Fortune 100 competitor to “bring big company discipline” to their...