The Competing Values Framework is a scientifically based model that classifies company cultures based on two dimensions: flexibility versus stability and internal focus versus external focus. Together, these axes form four culture types, each with their own characteristic properties.
For more than 25 years, this model has been the standard for analyzing organizational cultures and is applied worldwide by leading companies. The OCAI (Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument) by Cameron and Quinn is one of the best-known applications of this framework.
Trust, connection, and shared ownership
In Collaborate, culture is shaped by trust, engagement, and a strong sense of ‘we’. Teams share knowledge, support each other, and value people development.
This dimension is powerful when you want to strengthen collaboration across teams, improve retention, and build psychological safety, while still keeping the organization moving forward.
- Typically visible: coaching, feedback, open communication.
- Watch out: too much harmony can slow decision-making.
Autonomy, experimentation, and agility
In Create, innovation takes the lead. People take initiative, test ideas quickly, and learn by experimenting.
It fits organizations building new products, entering new markets, or increasing agility, especially when experimentation is paired with clear priorities and follow-through.
- Typically visible: prototypes, cross-functional squads, ‘fail fast’ loops.
- Watch out: without focus, execution fragments.
Process, quality, and predictability
In Control, control provides clarity. Roles, processes, and standards make work predictable and consistent, while quality is actively managed.
This is especially valuable for scaling, compliance, and reliability, but too much control can reduce flexibility and slow innovation.
- Typically visible: clear roles, procedures, quality controls.
- Watch out: too many rules can limit ownership and adaptability.
Results, pace, and customer value
In Compete, the focus is on achieving goals, moving fast, and delivering measurable customer value. Expectations are clear and performance is tracked.
This can be a major strength in competitive environments, as long as there is balance to avoid burnout, internal rivalry, or short-term decision-making.
- Typically visible: KPIs, accountability, fast decisions.
- Watch out: excessive competition can create stress and friction.