14/02/2025
Culture, Strategy, and Lasting Change: Lessons from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
In 2018, I was tasked with facilitating HR process redesign workshops for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). Initially, the work seemed straightforward—but we quickly realised something was missing. Engagement was low, and our approach felt too headquarters-centric, failing to connect with staff.
The issue wasn’t just communication—it was culture.
SFRS had merged eight regional services, each with its own traditions and identity. Without acknowledging this diverse cultural landscape, any transformation effort risked failure. Working with Sarah O’Donnell, our sponsor, we shifted our approach, drawing on insights from Professor Marshall Sashkin’s research on leadership culture. We built a cultural assessment tool to uncover shared values, beliefs, and norms across the organisation.
Through in-depth interviews, we identified a key challenge:
🚒 During emergencies, hierarchy drove efficiency.
🏡 In non-emergency settings, a community-driven ethos took precedence.
The top-down approach to transformation was creating disconnects. By actively listening to staff and engaging them early, we saw a shift. Employees felt heard, valued, and invested, making change more sustainable.
📌 Key Lesson: Culture isn’t just a backdrop—it’s the engine of transformation. Organisations that harness cultural strengths, rather than impose strategy from the top, see real, lasting change.
What cultural strengths have helped drive transformation in your organisation? Share your thoughts!
Read more here: https://woodward-consulting.net/cultural-strenghts-for-organisational-improvement/
