Cultural Excellence: A Leader's Guide to Strengthening the Heart of Your Organization - Hardcover

by Michele Herlein (Author)

Is your organization's culture intentionally designed or simply a default setting? In Cultural Excellence, organizational development expert Michele Herlein provides leaders with a practical roadmap for transforming workplace culture from an accidental byproduct into a powerful driver of success.

Drawing from her experience leading cultural transformations at major companies like Bridgestone and Barge Design Solutions, Michele introduces a comprehensive framework for creating and sustaining high-performing cultures. She demonstrates how to diagnose current cultural health, align executive teams, activate middle management, and implement systems that reinforce cultural values. The result? Organizations where purpose, vision, values, and strategy aren't just slogans on a wall. They are living principles that drive innovation, engagement, and measurable business results.

Filled with real-world examples and actionable strategies, this essential guide shows leaders how to build cultures where employees thrive and business flourishes. Perfect for CEOs, C-suite executives, HR professionals, and leaders seeking to strengthen their organizations through intentional culture design.

Author Biography

MICHELE HERLEIN is a leading expert in organizational culture and transformation, with over twenty years of experience creating intentional cultures that drive business success. As executive vice president and chief administrative officer at Barge Design Solutions, she led cultural initiatives that increased profits sevenfold while maintaining industry-low turnover rates. Previously, she spearheaded successful cultural transformations at Bridgestone Americas and Bandag, Inc.

Combining practical experience with academic rigor, Michele holds a doctorate in business administration focused on organizational development. As founder and CEO of CultureMax, she helps organizations achieve cultural excellence through her proven horizontal and vertical alignment methodology. Her work has earned her recognition as HR Executive of the Year, and her client organizations consistently outperform industry standards in both employee satisfaction and financial results.