Back in 2015, companies everywhere were touting “Vision 2020” plans. Now, halfway through 2025, we’re seeing the rise of “Vision 2030” strategies. But the timing raises a question: are organizations truly planning five years ahead—or just chasing the symmetry of a round number?
Vision only matters if it’s tied to real execution. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 stands out not because of its ambition, but because it’s operationalized at every level of government. That’s the difference between slogans and systems. At Culture Partners, we call this the Results Equation—a framework that connects purpose, strategy, and culture to ensure short-term wins support long-term transformation. Without that alignment, Vision 2030 will go the way of Vision 2020: a slide deck dream with little follow-through.
We’re seeing this disconnect in real time. Kroger’s CEO just stepped down following a board investigation into personal conduct. The resignation wasn’t about profit—it was about misalignment with cultural values. Culture isn’t what you write in a policy. It’s what you enforce—at every level.
And in the public sector, the U.S. government’s chaotic return-to-office mandate proves that top-down control without infrastructure or empathy erodes morale. You can’t mandate culture. You have to create conditions that support it.
In the latest episode of Culture Leaders, I spoke with Karalee Close from Accenture about AI’s role in culture and accountability. Her take? Most companies aren’t scaling AI responsibly because they haven’t addressed the leadership gaps underneath. Innovation demands more than tech—it requires cultural alignment and courage.
So before your organization rolls out its next big vision, ask the real question: do you have the systems, leadership, and culture in place to make it real?
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