Lots of definitions about what culture is in a company. Here’s a definition from Investopedia:

Corporate culture refers to the beliefs and behaviors that determine how a company’s employees and management interact and handle outside business transactions. Often, corporate culture is implied, not expressly defined, and develops organically over time from the cumulative traits of the people the company hires.

Not bad. But I have an even easier definition.It’s “what do people do when no one is looking?”.

It’s easy for everyone to act a certain way in front of their boss, other senior people. But a big part of leadership is consistency.  Lack of consistency diminishes credibility and trust.  So if you’re smart and poised in front of seniors, but rip people’s heads off in meetings, don’t think it doesn’t have an impact on how you’re perceived.  Those people in meetings eventually report up to one of those senior people. And senior people listen to their people.

I do agree that culture develops from the cumulative traits of the people the company hires. So if you feel like the corporate culture is not a good fit, chances are you’re going to struggle because there are more of “them” than there are of you. But when you do find a corporate culture which fits your values…whatever they may be…chances are you’re going to feel at home.