Which of the following is a key sign of misaligned organizational culture?

• A. Discrepancies between stated values and observed behavior, high turnover, silos, resistance to change, and low psychological safety.
• B. Consistent behavior with stated values and high collaboration.
• C. Rapid adoption of new norms without training.
• D. Very low turnover and high engagement.

Answer: (A)

This item tests whether culture is truly reflected in everyday actions and behaviors. The clearest sign of misalignment is when what the organization says it values doesn’t show up in how people actually work, behave, and interact. When you see discrepancies between espoused values and observed behavior, you often also notice real-world consequences: high turnover, silos that block cross-team collaboration, resistance to change, and low psychological safety where people feel unsafe speaking up or challenging the status quo. Together, these indicators reveal that the culture on the ground isn’t living up to the stated values, eroding trust and effectiveness.

The other scenarios describe more aligned or neutral situations. Consistent behavior with stated values and high collaboration point to a culture that walks its talk. Rapid adoption of new norms without training may signal implementation issues or a lack of preparation, not necessarily a misalignment of core values. Very low turnover and high engagement suggest a healthy, aligned culture rather than misalignment.