MAHONEY’S MOMENTS

June 2026: The Culture We Carry With Us

Last week I went to a school reunion of students who once attended a rural now closed Lawrence High School (1921-1968) or Lawrence Elementary School (1968-2015). My association was that I taught middle school for several years at K-8 Lawrence Elementary. There were approximately 200 people present to honor, remember, and celebrate their experiences at Lawrence. The oldest graduate was a lady who was in the Class of 1947. Another graduate from the late 1950’s sang the school fight song after being prompted by her daughter who had married a Lawrence guy.

Finally, a student who had attended Lawrence Elementary gave a heartfelt reflective testimony to his life changing experiences while attending school there. What caused so many people to show up at another site and share unprompted vivid and long-lasting experiences in school? Including me, who drove 150 miles to attend. Let’s face it…many alums never go back to reunions because despite adult success, who wants to be reminded of a time you often felt inept, inadequate, and not special? It was impossible for me as I watched folks look at old pictures, embrace seldom seen friends, and swell with emotion as they shared feelings to not think about a topic I often discuss with leaders—culture. It’s the secret sauce created by interactions with each other, traditions, achievements, disappointments, etc., all punctuated by behavior.

Culture is created intentionally or unintentionally and remembered by people. Collective identity is not innate or genetic. It is learned and acquired through our observations, experiences, and behavior. And yes, it trumps strategy for organizational success. Today’s leadership frames the culture conversation others will have in the future. As I observed the outpouring of genuine affection that reunion evening, I thought about three ingredients that made this vibrant culture worth remembering.

(1) Community. That’s an often-used word to advertise a common experience. When people feel a deep sense of community, they support each other, share similar values, and genuinely do things together. I remembered our Pioneer Day from the past that I organized for the school when grandparents, parents, and others would show up to demonstrate forgotten crafts and skills like churning butter, making soap, etc. Community is built by action together. Emotion follows it.

(2) Connection. There is no connection without these shared experiences. Who hasn’t felt unimpressed by someone at first meeting and yet felt a great connection later after a few adventures together? It’s easier to feel connection when families are large, siblings interact with other siblings, and frankly people know each other. Many are related to one another! It’s the nature of small towns and rural areas. You share common challenges, solve problems together, and lean in and on each other during times of adversity.

(3) Love. I heard many people express that emotion to others that night. Life had taught them a greater appreciation for the people who had always known them. You knew they cared, believed in you, and had strong feelings of affection for you. Love is a natural consequence of when you build community, create connections, and learn together. Throw in reflective time to think about the past and you realize that it was genuine love.

We are all in part architects of where and how we live and work. Want it to be viewed favorably and felt positively later? Hope for a culture where the indirect outcome is greater happiness, engagement, and productivity? Then begin by finding others to build community, deepen your connection with experiences together, and enjoy the genuine good feelings. Good cultures are worth remembering and seeing people again who remember with you.