CHARACTER-BASED CAPITALISM
The Right Culture Changes Everything
Culture shapes how people behave, make decisions, collaborate, and perform. Strong cultures create clear expectations, build trust, attract and retain talent, strengthen relationships, and help people stay aligned around the work that matters most.
GuideStar’s research identified the practices and benefits of a high-performing culture we call Character-based Capitalism—an approach that combines the entrepreneurial spirit of capitalism with character.
Built on Four Pillars
Character-based Capitalism fosters the trust, collaboration, and teamwork that support innovation, productivity, agility, and resilience. It empowers employees to think and act like owners while helping organizations create value for employees, customers, suppliers, communities, and shareholders. Character-based Capitalism is built on four interconnected pillars:
- Shared Core Values
- Leaders at All Levels
- Transcendent Organizational Purpose
- Commitment to Performance Excellence
Together, these pillars help organizations align behavior, leadership, purpose, and execution around a culture designed for long-term performance.
Doing What Is Right Can Strengthen Performance
Serving all stakeholders does not have to come at the expense of business results.
Engaged employees, loyal customers, collaborative suppliers, and supportive communities can all contribute to stronger organizational performance and long-term value.
Many of the behaviors that strengthen these relationships are not costly initiatives. They begin with how leaders lead—demonstrating trust and caring, creating meaningful work, listening to ideas, empowering people, and helping employees understand how the business works.
Character-based Capitalism makes those behaviors part of the culture rather than leaving them to chance.
Business Can Be a Force for Good
and performance, they can strengthen their companies while contributing to greater
opportunity, healthier communities, and broader prosperity.