In a world where workplace culture can make or break organizational success, Eddie Geller, visionary entrepreneur and founder of SKOR, is rewriting the playbook. Eddie joined host Nikki Lewallen Gregory on Gut + Science to discuss how SKOR—a cutting-edge platform for measuring corporate culture—is helping organizations prioritize what truly matters.
The Genesis of SKOR
Eddie’s journey to founding SKOR started with a simple observation: leaders often overlook the importance of culture. As a seasoned entrepreneur with experience building and exiting successful companies, Eddie realized his true focus had always been on creating high-performing teams. Reflecting on his journey, he saw a gap in how most CEOs approached culture—treating it as an afterthought instead of a foundation for success.
This realization birthed SKOR, an innovative tool designed to provide organizations with a tangible way to measure and improve culture. “If you don’t measure it, you can’t convince anyone to make a change,” Eddie explained. SKOR gives companies a score that evaluates their culture and identifies areas for growth, making culture improvement both measurable and actionable.
The Three Pillars of Culture
At the heart of SKOR are three critical components: cohesion, clarity, and courage. Eddie shared how these pillars lay the groundwork for thriving teams:
- Cohesion: Focuses on core behaviors, shared values, and the company’s mission. It’s about creating a sense of unity among employees.
- Clarity: Ensures employees understand organizational strategies, team goals, and their individual roles within the big picture.
- Courage: Cultivates an environment where people feel safe to take risks, learn from failures, and do their best work without fear of reprisal.
These elements are assessed through data-driven, objective questions, creating a comprehensive score that leaders can use to drive meaningful change.
Why Traditional Surveys Fall Short
Eddie didn’t hold back when discussing the limitations of conventional employee surveys. “Surveys often measure symptoms, not root causes,” he said, noting how responses can reflect fleeting frustrations rather than systemic issues. SKOR flips the script by focusing on leading indicators—inputs that influence outcomes—rather than lagging metrics.
For example, instead of asking employees if they feel they can do their best work (an outcome), SKOR might assess whether the organization encourages risk-taking and creativity (an input). This shift helps leaders identify and address the underlying factors that drive performance and satisfaction.
How SKOR Works
The SKOR platform stands out for its simplicity and strategic focus:
- Who Participates: Only people leaders (managers, department heads, etc.) complete the assessment, as they are the ones who shape the work environment.
- What It Measures: Fifty targeted questions assess the organization’s environment across the three pillars.
- The Output: Results are delivered as actionable insights and recommendations, accompanied by a clear business case for culture investment.
Most organizations use SKOR two to three times a year to track progress and refine strategies. The tool also integrates with existing employee survey data to provide a holistic view of cultural dynamics.
The ROI of Culture
One of Eddie’s driving passions is elevating HR’s role in business strategy. He sees HR as a profit center, not a cost center, capable of unlocking growth by fostering an environment where employees thrive. SKOR supports this mission by providing HR leaders with the data they need to make a compelling case for culture-focused investments.
“Imagine getting 20% more productivity from your people,” Eddie challenged listeners. “HR has the power to make that happen.”
SKOR in Action
Eddie shared a compelling example of a client that had plateaued at $10 million in revenue for three years. By using SKOR to identify leadership gaps and prioritize cultural improvements, the company saw profit growth and began laying the groundwork for sustainable expansion.
Take the SKOR Snapshot
If you’re ready to take your culture to the next level, SKOR offers a free SKOR Snapshot to help you identify root causes and prioritize initiatives. As Nikki highlighted, “This tool is a game-changer for leaders who want to move their culture forward.”
Ready to get started? Visit SKOR and try the free SKOR Snapshot today. As Eddie put it, “Data is the lighthouse that guides meaningful change.”
Listen to the Episode: G+S 285: A Way to Really Measure Culture with Eddie Geller
