Why Culture Wins: At Work AND in Life
I recently found out that Jeff Cook Real Estate LPT Realty has been named a Top Workplace in South Carolina for the 7th year in a row.
And while I’m honored and grateful, I want to talk about why we keep winning, not what we won.
Culture. That’s the reason. Plain and simple.
But I don’t just mean company culture, ping pong tables, or having a casual Friday. I mean the real kind of culture—the kind that shapes how people treat each other, how they communicate, and how they show up for themselves and others.
At Jeff Cook Real Estate LPT Realty, I built our culture with intention. We lead with respect, support, and shared values. That’s what makes our organization a great place to work. I’ve created a culture that backs agents with powerful tools and support, like:
Top-tier training and mentorship to help you level up, not just keep up
Full-service marketing that promotes your personal brand AND your listings
Cutting-edge tech and back-end systems to help you work smarter, not harder
Operations support so you’re never navigating business challenges alone
While all of those things are important, there’s a secret I’d like to share:
You don’t need a company to create culture.
Your Personal Culture Is Everything
Before it ever shows up in a workplace, culture starts with you.
It’s how you manage your mornings.
It’s how you talk to your family.
It’s how you set standards for your work—and your life.
It’s how you respond when things don’t go your way.
Personal culture isn’t something you get. It’s something you build through consistent habits, values, and the way you treat people (yourself included).
When your personal culture is strong, you carry it into every room you enter—whether that’s your workplace, your home, or your community. That’s when real alignment happens. That’s when people thrive.
Why Culture Still Matters
We didn’t set out to win awards. We set out to do things the right way.
The Top Work Place award just happens to follow the effort.
Culture doesn’t just make people more productive, it makes them happier. It creates space for people to feel seen, supported, and challenged in all the right ways.
So yes, I’m proud of our 7-year streak.
But I’m even prouder of the culture we’ve built to get there.
And if there’s one takeaway I can leave with you, it’s this:
You don’t have to wait for someone to give you culture. You can create it right where you are.
Lead yourself well. Lead others with intention.
That’s where the real wins come from.