188 50 TOPEXECUTIVECOACHES
recruit employees with the desired personality and motives, as well as the
specific knowledge and skills to achieve the desired culture. It then needs to
put into place the right staff, structure, and systems.
Perhaps most critical, there has to be consensus regarding the target cul-
ture. That might seem obvious, but unless it’s spelled out by the management
team and universally agreed upon, a great deal of ambiguity can creep in.
Woodrow Wilson once said, “If you want to make enemies, try to change
something.” Although not the most optimistic approach to change, his words
hold a great deal of truth. Organizational change is about understanding
human capital and corporate culture, and then implementing appropriate
human resources practices to bring about the change. The executive teams
I’ve worked with have been most successful when they’ve conducted appro-
pr iate human capital due diligence, committed to change (and secured other
senior management’s commitment), and remained open to new ideas. In the
end, it’s their enthusiasm and hard work that allows me to succeed.