Good Comes First - Book Review

Author: S. Chris Edmonds and Mark S. Babbitt

Category: Leadership

Audience: Leaders, Investors, Team Managers

Overview: This review highlights how Good Comes First outlines a structured approach to building strong culture through aligned values, behaviors, and consistent leadership execution.

Good Comes First caught my eye because the subtitle was ‘How Today’s Leaders Create an Uncompromising Company Culture.’  Whew. That’s a big ticket…so I read on.

The book is divided into 3 Sections:

I: Purpose and Principles: Why a ‘Good Comes First’ Culture?

This section basically outlines the types of things we have learned – particularly since Covid - about why the focus on a healthy culture is a key approach for leaders who want to impact their organization’s growth and profitability and become an employer of choice.

This section includes a chapter that reviews good, bad, and ugly cultures. It’s about how to begin to embrace what needs to happen moving forward.

II: Tactical & Practical: How to Define, Align, and Refine Your Culture

This section covers what the authors refer to as 'The Organizational Constitution' that companies need to embrace as a first step in achieving a ‘good’ culture.

It includes 3 chapters titled 'Values, Definitions and Behaviors,' 'Aligning Desired Values and Behaviors,' and most importantly 'Measuring and Refining' the organization’s approach.

This is about tactics.

III: Actional Inspiration: Building Your Culture From the Inside Out

This section is dedicated to the types of behaviors and engagement the leadership team needs as they move forward in creating their organization’s culture. It includes some valuable tactical and strategic approaches to consider.

Yes, creating a ‘good’ culture is easier said than done. And it doesn’t happen overnight.

Very few things do when it comes to improving areas involving human behavior.

But what are the odds of developing a strong culture if employees do not feel valued, engaged or motivated?  It’s the long game…but well worth it.

Cynthia Kyriazis is the Chief Experience Officer at CultureAIP. Her experience includes executive coaching, consulting, and training. Book a 15-minute chat to discuss your people, performance, or profit challenges.