It's Not Your Culture That's The Problem - It's Power.

We talk a lot about company culture — how to fix it, shift it, reshape it.

But what if the real problem isn’t culture at all?

What if the root issue is power?

Here’s what I’ve seen again and again across the boardroom, bush, and business:
When power is centralised in the hands of a few individuals, it’s almost inevitable that it begins to warp behaviour. 

Even good people get caught in the gravitational pull of hierarchy.

The more senior someone becomes in a traditional power structure, the more detached they tend to become—from the frontline, from feedback loops, and from the real impact of their decisions.
They begin making choices that benefit the top while burdening the many.

And that’s when culture breaks.

Culture Can’t Thrive Without Stewardship

Quite literally, your business cannot grow without people.
Employees. Clients. Investors. Suppliers. Customers.

How you fill up their trust account is critical to the long-term health of your company.

You must be more than a performer or authority figure.
You must be a leader of value.
A steward of relationships.
A custodian of the culture you co-create every day.

When people feel seen, safe, and supported—when they trust that leadership isn’t self-serving—they stay.
They grow.
And they tell their friends, family, and network.

That one-to-one trust builds quietly, steadily.
Like saving a dollar a day, the compound effect over time becomes your buffer of goodwill.
And when hard times come (and they always do), it’s that buffer that keeps you afloat.

Want to Grow? Focus on Your Share of Heart.

If you want to grow your organisation, don’t just chase profit, process, or performance.

The third lever to improve is your share of heart.

Yes, it may sound wishy-washy.
Yes, it’s harder to measure than margins.

But make no mistake—it’s a strategic needle mover.

Because when you focus on the emotional resonance your leadership creates—when you lead from presence, humility, and service—you build a culture people want to stay in and speak well of.

Want to learn more about share of heart – check out this interview with my friend and colleague Marlon de Cruz who’s business philosophy is based on engaging hearts  

From Power to Presence

If you're serious about creating a sustainable, values-aligned business, it's time to shift from power-based leadership to presence-based stewardship.

It’s not soft.

It’s smart.
It’s strategic.
And it’s what the next generation of leadership is asking for.

It’s why I dropped my old company name UQ Power because my own season of seeking and accumulating power has transformed too. What about you?

I’m now immersing myself in Steward Eldership. It’s what I teach, model, and measure through our Culture Spectrum Audits. Because in the end, it’s not just about how loud you lead—it’s about how deeply you’re trusted. May you tap into your heart too.