The Heart of HopeSource: How CASTLE Became Our Cultural Compass
In 2009, HopeSource experienced a defining moment—one that would ultimately shape our culture, our leadership, and the way we show up for our community. That year, our CEO, Susan Grindle, came across an article referencing Lance Secretan’s work and his influential book Inspire! What Great Leaders Do. In Inspire!, Secretan outlines six essential values that form the foundation of inspired leadership: Courage, Authenticity, Service, Truthfulness, Love, and Effectiveness—the values we now know collectively as CASTLE.
Secretan’s research-based leadership framework emphasizes that great organizations are built not on fear or traditional reward–punishment models, but on inspiration—emanating from leaders who embody these core values. He argues that inspiration, grounded in these six pillars, leads to stronger organizations, higher trust, and greater personal fulfillment.
Susan was deeply moved by this philosophy. Recognizing its alignment with the heart of HopeSource’s mission, she reached out directly to Lance Secretan. What followed was a meaningful partnership to train and guide our leadership team in implementing and sustaining CASTLE as the cultural backbone of HopeSource.
Building a CASTLE Culture at HopeSource
What began as a leadership training initiative in 2009 quickly evolved into a full organizational transformation. HopeSource embraced CASTLE as more than an acronym—it became a way of interacting, serving, deciding, and being.
CASTLE as Our Decision-Making Lens
CASTLE shapes every dimension of how we operate at HopeSource. It guides how we engage with one another by fostering trust, honesty, courage, and mutual respect. It influences how we interact with our clients by ensuring that compassion, service, and authenticity are embedded in every conversation and action. It also directs how we partner with our community by grounding those relationships in truthfulness and effectiveness. Finally, CASTLE informs our organizational strategy by shaping our planning, priorities, and day‑to‑day problem‑solving. These values are not abstract ideas tucked away in a handbook; they are living principles that we actively reference and rely on throughout our daily work.
CASTLE in Action: Hiring, Training, Recognition, and Daily Practice
Hiring with Intention
CASTLE shows up at the very start of every employment journey—we integrate these values directly into our interview process. Candidates aren’t just evaluated for skills; we look for alignment with courage, authenticity, service to others, truthfulness, love, and the drive to be effective.
We regularly revisit CASTLE in refresher trainings to keep these values top-of-mind. CASTLE is not a one-time training but an ongoing practice.
Every morning, our team gathers for a daily huddle. This isn’t just a coordination meeting—it’s a space where we recognize each other for living out CASTLE. We celebrate moments of courage. We highlight truthfulness and authenticity. We acknowledge acts of service and love. We reinforce effectiveness. This recognition strengthens our culture day by day.
We hold each other accountable—not in a punitive way, but as partners committed to a shared culture. CASTLE gives us a common language that makes candid conversations easier and more constructive.
Protecting the Culture That Makes HopeSource Home
We vigorously safeguard our CASTLE culture because we know what it gives us: a workplace people want to come to every day. Not because we are perfect—in fact, we openly acknowledge that we’re human, and none of us embody these values flawlessly every moment. But our commitment to CASTLE means that when someone has an imperfect day, they’re met with understanding, grace, and encouragement.
CASTLE also empowers us to call each other up to our best, not by judgment, but by reminding one another of our shared mission and the values we all deeply care about. It strengthens relationships, builds trust, and keeps us aligned even in challenging moments.
A Culture Worth Protecting—Yesterday, Today, Always
What began with one article in 2009 has become the heart of who HopeSource is today. Susan Grindle’s discovery of Lance Secretan’s work didn’t just inspire leadership training—it reshaped an entire organization. Through CASTLE, we strive every day to build a culture rooted in inspiration, not fear; in truth, not uncertainty; in love and service, not obligation.
And because each member of our team believes in these values, CASTLE continues to guide us, unite us, and strengthen our ability to serve our clients and community with excellence.
HopeSource is a CASTLE—and every one of us helps keep the structure strong.