Culture is Your Greatest Asset – Don’t Leave It to Chance

Culture is your greatest asset! Your team is the heart of your business. A strong company culture fuels success. But culture doesn’t build itself. It needs care and attention. Regular one-on-one meetings are key. They help you connect with your team. They also help shape a positive culture. As a Business Advisory Services provider in Cape Town, I see this firsthand with clients who have the best company cultures.

These meetings aren’t just about tasks. They are about understanding your people. They are about fostering growth and trust. To help you get started use the questions below as a guide. Make these conversations a priority. Your customers will thank you.

Questions to Ask During a Check-In Meeting

• How are you coming to this meeting? (e.g., energized, stressed, burned out)
• What’s been working well for you? What hasn’t?
• Is there anything you’re particularly proud of?
• What have you accomplished since we last met (big or small)?
• What is your top priority between now and next time?
• What roadblocks are you currently facing? How can I help remove them for you?
• How confident do you feel in your progress towards your goals?
• How can I best help you between now and next time?
• Do you feel your current role aligns with your professional vision?
• What part of your job feels most in line with your professional goals?
• Is your role making you feel challenged? What in particular makes you feel that way?
• How are you feeling about your work-life balance?
• Is there something you want to work on more often? Or someone you want to work with more? If so, why?
• What aspect of your job would you like to improve? Where do you need support?
• Are there areas where you would like more or less direction from me?
• What could I do to make your life at work easier or better?

Building a Thriving Culture

These questions go beyond surface-level updates. They tap into your team’s well-being and aspirations. A trusted business advisor will often recommend these types of open dialogues. They help build a culture of trust and transparency.

As part of our Strategic Business Advisory, we encourage business owners to listen actively. Show genuine interest in your team members’ responses. This creates a safe space for honest feedback. Asking these questions can further help you develop your communication skills. This ensures these meetings are productive and impactful. The saying stands true, people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!

Remember, your company culture is a powerful asset. Don’t leave it to chance. Use these check-ins to nurture it intentionally. People are the point, but treat them like owners.

Ownership isn’t a checkbox skill — it’s an attitude that sets the tone for everyone. It’s a culture of leadership where people are acting like they’re the founder — showing up with care, conviction, and commitment to the mission, no matter their title or authority level. It’s how healthy cultures are built from the inside out.

If you’re a leader asking, “How do I build more ownership into my culture?” — start here!

• Ask where people feel most connected and where they feel powerless. Ownership flourishes when people have agency.
• Define what ownership looks like in your context. Many teams have never been expected to lead this way — clarity creates alignment.
• Invest in leadership development. When you develop leaders at every level, you multiply owners at every level.

The truth is, culture is shaped every day. And your team is watching you. When you engage one on one you lead with ownership, and so give them permission to do the same.