Are Culture Surveys Still Worth It?

Culture and engagement surveys have become almost standard practice in many organisations.

We run them annually.
We benchmark.
We compare.
We track trends.

But beneath that rhythm, a question quietly surfaces: Are they actually worth it?

When new clients reach out, the conversation often begins here. Not with scepticism about culture (most leaders deeply believe in its importance) but with uncertainty about impact.

“We’ve been measuring for years… and yet very little really seems to shift despite significant investment and effort in these surveys.”

Sometimes scores move marginally. Sometimes they remain flat. Occasionally they decline. And that’s when doubt creeps in.

Are we measuring the right things?
Are the results telling us something useful?

Or have surveys become an organisational ritual rather than a strategic lever?