Stars, Stripes, and Slack Messages: A Cultural Take on Independence Day

Every July 4th, we fire up the grills, light up the skies, and celebrate American independence. But beyond the fireworks and festivities, Independence Day offers a deeper, more meaningful lens into something we deal with every day at work—organizational culture.

Just like a country, every organization has its own rituals, values, founding myths, and contradictions. So this Fourth of July, let’s take a closer look at what this national holiday can teach us about the cultures we build inside our companies.

1. Rituals and Symbols Matter More Than You Think

Fourth of July: Think about the fireworks, flags, and patriotic playlists. These aren’t just fun—they’re cultural reinforcements. They remind us of shared values and identity.

At Work: Weekly standups, town halls, team celebrations, Slack emojis—these are your internal fireworks. They tell people what matters and how you work together.

Takeaway: Rituals and symbols aren’t fluff. They’re powerful carriers of meaning. Ask yourself: What do we celebrate in this organization, and how?

2. Founding Stories Shape Today’s Identity

Fourth of July: The Declaration of Independence wasn’t just a political move—it was a statement of values. It still influences how Americans see themselves today.

At Work: Founding stories—how the company started, what challenges it overcame, what it believed in—create your organization's DNA. But they can also become outdated if the organization grows and evolves.

Takeaway: Revisit your founding story. Does it still guide your behavior and decisions—or is it time to draft a new chapter?

3. Culture Has Contradictions—Acknowledge Them

Fourth of July: The holiday celebrates freedom, but not everyone experienced it equally. These tensions are part of America’s ongoing dialogue.

At Work: Organizations may preach values like “equity” and “belonging,” while certain groups quietly experience exclusion. Ignoring these contradictions erodes trust.

Takeaway: Culture is what’s lived, not just what’s said. Make space for honest conversations about where the reality doesn’t match the values.

4. Belonging Is Built, Not Assumed

Fourth of July: Despite diverse beliefs, backgrounds, and histories, Americans come together under a shared national identity.

At Work: Great cultures create a similar sense of belonging. But belonging doesn’t mean uniformity—it means everyone sees themselves reflected and respected in the environment.

Takeaway: Is your organizational “we” big enough to include a broad range of “me's”?

5. Sometimes, You Need a Cultural Revolution

Fourth of July: Independence Day was born from radical change. It was a declaration that the old system no longer worked.

At Work: Cultural shifts can’t always happen through small tweaks. When norms are toxic or outdated, you may need your own cultural “independence day”—a bold break from the past to build something better.

Takeaway: What needs to be declared—and what needs to be left behind—for your culture to truly thrive?

Final Thoughts

The Fourth of July isn’t just a day off. It’s a case study in how identity, values, rituals, and reckoning with history come together to shape a collective culture. Organizations are no different. If we want cultures that truly support innovation, belonging, and purpose, we have to look at what we celebrate, who gets included, and how honest we’re willing to be about the gap between ideals and reality.

So this Independence Day, ask yourself:

• What are we really celebrating?

• Who’s invited?

• And what do we need to change to make our culture more authentic and inclusive?

Happy Fourth—and here’s to building better cultures, one intentional action at a time.