# Culture eats Executives for Breakfast

Navigating Corporate Culture: A Survival Guide for New Executives – in the corporate jungle, culture is king.

Navigating Corporate Culture: A Survival Guide for New Executives

in the corporate jungle, culture is king. 

for new executives parachuting into established companies, adapting to this culture can mean the difference between thriving and barely surviving. as someone who's witnessed the revolving door of executive suites, i'm here to share insights on why understanding company culture is crucial for leadership longevity.

it’s not very often that new hired executives last 3+ years in a company, which already has its culture.

successful executives (in terms of years survived in a company) usually rise from the bottom (like Drake; Started from the bottom, now we're here): starting as an intern, getting a job offer, developing into a lead position, then to a head of XYZ and so on.

these people know the company’s quirks, the language, they know how to suffer through tough times, they know the founder/CEO, they have seen people leaving and joining the company—ultimately, they know the company’s language.

take Christian Klein, SAP's chief executive officer. he didn't just join the company; he grew with it—starting as a student in 1999, Klein navigated SAP's complex ecosystem for over two decades before taking the helm. his journey from intern to CEO embodies the value of cultural immersion. Klein didn't just learn SAP's products; he absorbed its DNA, speaking the language of both developers and board members fluently.

Sheryl Sandberg, she was with Facebook / Meta for over 14 years as chief operating officer (COO) and joined in 2008, when Facebook introduced the ‘wall’.

now you come in.

picture this: it's your first day as the new executive. as you walk through the office, you can almost hear the furious tapping of keyboards as your team pulls up your LinkedIn profile. they're not just curious; they're assessing. can this outsider truly understand our world? your challenge begins now—they will test you and your skills.

the thing is: you know nothing—that’s what they know. you don’t speak their language, you don’t know the insiders. you enter from the outside to the inside: you’re entering their territory, their habitat.

your job as a manager is usually to help your team, but how do you show your team that you can actually be useful? you have to speak their language, you have to adapt to the culture. like being in a foreign country.

the demands on you being a pro are high. you’re under the microscope and they’re waiting for you to crack.

you better know what you can do, and what you cannot. be transparent about it, don’t cover it up. you’ve probably earned a similar ‘title’ in your role of your previous job, but that doesn’t mean you have what it takes to take the same in that new company.

so how to survive?
1. being that new executive means to learn everything fast, like real fast: put in the extra hours, the night shifts.
2. listen more, talk less: in your first 30 days, aim to talk to as many team members (company-wide) as possible; ask about their roles, challenges, and vision for the company.
3. find a cultural translator: identify a respected, long-time employee who can help you decode the company's unwritten rules.
4. embrace vulnerability: admit what you don't know. transparency about your learning curve can earn respect faster than false bravado.
5. quick wins, long-term vision: balance achieving immediate, visible results with laying groundwork for lasting impact.

the corporate world isn't just about survival of the fittest; it's about adaptation of the wisest.

the company's unique flavor is on the menu—and your job is to become a master chef. 

as a new executive, your success hinges on your ability to read, respect, and eventually reshape the culture you've entered. it's a challenging journey, but armed with awareness and strategies, you can transform from an outsider to a cultural fit cornerstone.

in the end, some are better in adapting quickly than others—and it’s a bet from both sides: culture vs. executive and vice versa.

bon appétit: may the best survive.
good luck, you’ll need it.