246. Party at the DMV: When Meta-Culture Shapes Workplace Culture

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Jul 8, 2025

Explore how the broader culture of a location influences workplace dynamics. Discover the challenges leaders face when relocating companies and the impact on hiring and team morale. Learn how meta-culture can either support or resist organizational values. The podcast delves into the complexities of remote work and geographic variances. It also emphasizes the importance of adapting workplace culture to align with local values for a more cohesive and authentic environment.

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ANECDOTE

DMV Reflects Local Meta-Culture

Patrick Lencioni shares how the friendly DMV experience in Tennessee reflects the local culture.
It contrasts with unfriendly DMV experiences in places like New York City, showing meta-culture's influence.

INSIGHT

Company Culture vs Local Culture

Companies like Hewlett-Packard strive to make the local office feel like the company culture over the country's culture.
Maintaining a unified culture across locations is a challenging but intentional leadership task.

INSIGHT

Macro Culture Shapes Organizations

Organizations exist within a larger geographic or societal culture, influencing their internal values and operations.
Remote work and multi-location setups add complexity to maintaining consistent cultures.

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How does the broader culture of your location influence your organization’s internal culture?

In episode 246 of At The Table, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore how meta-culture—the broader geographic or societal environment—shapes the internal culture of organizations. From experiences at the DMV to moving company headquarters, they share insights on how values interact with location.

Topics explored in this episode:

(2:44) Organizational Culture Exists Within a Larger Culture

* The macro culture of a city or state can either support or resist company values.

* Remote work and multiple locations complicate maintaining a cohesive culture.

(6:15) Moving Your Company

* Leaders should consider not just financials but cultural fit when moving.

* The meta-culture can affect hiring, operations, and team morale.

* Certain locations make it easier to find people who reflect your values.

* Some environments create cultural friction, while others foster cohesion.

(9:35) Navigating Meta-Culture

* Leaders should actively ask how geography is influencing their organization.

This episode of At The Table with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.

At The Table is a podcast that lives at the connection between work life, leadership, organizational health, and culture. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4l1aop0), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.

Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8u), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube).

Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com.

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.