Company Culture Types

Season 9, Episode 20 | Trill MBA Show
Host: Felicia Ann Rose Enuha

Episode Summary

Felicia breaks down the Competing Values Framework (CVF) so you can identify your company’s dominant culture and adjust your strategy to thrive—without compromising your integrity. You’ll learn how internal vs. external focus and stability vs. flexibility create four culture types (Create/Adhocracy, Collaborate/Clan, Control/Hierarchy, Compete/Market), what they sound like day-to-day, and practical ways to show up, get resourced, and get promoted in each.

What You’ll Learn

• The 2 CVF dimensions (Internal–External and Stability–Flexibility) and why they matter
• The 4 culture types and the common phrases, incentives, and politics inside each
• Concrete do’s & don’ts for each culture (how to communicate, build allies, and pace decisions)
• When to adapt vs. when to exit a toxic environment—your integrity comes first

The Competing Values Framework (CVF) in Plain English

Dimensions

• Internal External: Do we optimize for inside coordination and people, or outside markets and competitors?
• Stability Flexibility: Do we prize plans, rules, predictability or speed, change, experimentation?

Four Culture Types

1. Create (Adhocracy) — Dynamic, entrepreneurial, future-focused
   • “We’re flying the plane while we build it.”
   • Values: innovation, risk-taking, new products, intrapreneurship
2. Collaborate (Clan) — People-oriented, relationship-heavy
   • “We’re a family.” (…and there are traditions to match)
   • Values: loyalty, mentorship, consensus, long-term development
3. Control (Hierarchy) — Structured, process-driven, conservative
   • “What do the policy and the data say?”
   • Values: rules, precision, reliability, low variance, careful change
4. Compete (Market) — Results-obsessed, external, fast-moving
   • “Beat the target. Beat the rival. Move.”
   • Values: goals, speed, market share, reputation, M&A

How to Thrive (Without Losing Yourself)

If you’re in Create/Adhocracy

• Lead with ideas. Bring crisp POVs and fundable pitches (problem → insight → plan → resourcing → ROI).
• Get comfortable with ambiguity. If uncertainty drains you, this isn’t your playground.
• Manager fit is everything. You want an oxygen-giving sponsor who fights for resources.

If you’re in Collaborate/Clan

• Show up to the humans. Go to the team events; relationship equity = execution power.
• Multiply your advocates. You’ll need multiple voices singing your name—especially the loud one.
• Signal belonging. Say (and show) you like it here; that reads as “you value us.”

If you’re in Control/Hierarchy

• Bring facts, figures, and policy. Tight analysis + clear recommendation → consensus.
• Dress & operate the part. Consistency and polish matter; follow written processes.
• Work the calendar. Promotions are cycle-bound—plan your 12–18 month proof points.

If you’re in Compete/Market

• Feed the machine. Surface competitor intel + rapid counter-moves with measurable wins.
• Protect your reputation. Deliver the baseline and one visible over-delivery per cycle.
• Build real relationships. Authentic allies are a cheat code in a performative culture.

Red Flags & Green Lights

• Green: Resources follow ideas; calibration is structured; sponsors act.
• Red: “Family” language with punishment for boundaries; rules weaponized; constant back-channeling; zero psychological safety.

Time Stamps

• 00:00 – “If it’s toxic, quit.” Intro + why culture fit matters
• 02:20 – CVF basics: Internal vs. External; Stability vs. Flexibility
• 07:47 – The four quadrants overview
• 10:09 – Create / Adhocracy: innovation, risk, “build the plane while flying”
• 13:23 – Collaborate / Clan: family feel, loyalty, long-term people focus
• 15:50 – Control / Hierarchy: rules, precision, careful change
• 18:24 – Compete / Market: speed, targets, rivalry, reputation
• 22:23 – How to show up in each culture (practical playbook)
• 25:17 – Playing along in Clan cultures (events, consensus, multiple advocates)
• 29:07 – Winning in Hierarchy cultures (data, policy, cycles)
• 32:24 – Surviving Market cultures (results, integrity, allies)
• 35:20 – Final word: adapt but protect your integrity
• 36:32 – Fast Track System (PIE) CTA
• 37:34 – Coaching + Listener Letters + outro

Resources & Next Steps

• Competing Values Framework (CVF) — by Cameron & Quinn — Get the book here.
• Career Freebies – Click here 
• FMLA Leave & Retaliation Tracker – Protect your job before and after leave. Document retaliation, track every move, and get paid if they play dirty.
• Career Coaching with Felicia – Book a personalized strategy session.
• Listener Letters – Send your questions to ask@trillmba.com (use subject line “Listener Letter”).
• Subscribe & Leave a Review – Subscribe on YouTube and drop a comment to help us grow.
• Follow @TrillMBAshow – Stay updated on Instagram and LinkedIn.

(Pro tip: Keep this page handy. As you map your company’s CVF quadrant, jot three things you’ll start/stop/continue to align your strategy—and set a 30-60-90 day check-in with yourself or your sponsor.)