How Culture, KPIs, and Purpose Are Shaping the Future of Multifamily Property Management
By Carl Einsel, Donaldson CEO
Culture Is the Competitive Edge: But Most Companies Don’t Measure It
In today’s multifamily property management industry, companies are under increasing pressure to perform not just financially, but culturally as well. The expectations of both employees and clients have evolved. Talented professionals seek workplaces where they feel heard, respected, and empowered. Clients want partners who can consistently deliver results and who operate with integrity and purpose. Yet, most companies still treat culture as an intangible, aspirational concept, but not something measurable.
At Donaldson, we believe that failing to measure culture is failing to manage it. In a crowded market, companies that ignore the internal experience risk losing top talent and client trust. The result? Higher turnover, lower performance, and fractured partnerships.
The Shifting Value Proposition and Culture KPIs
Donaldson’s answer to this challenge is our Shifting Value Proposition- a transformative framework that operationalizes culture as a core driver of performance. In an industry often defined by metrics and margins, Donaldson has charted a different course rooted in relationships, purpose, and culture. At its heart is a commitment to making values measurable through our Culture Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
We have redefined what success looks like by creating a virtuous cycle that begins with trusted leadership, empowers collaborative teams, drives superior outcomes for our clients, and generates a culture that fosters loyalty and trust at every level of the organization. It is a cycle rooted in purpose.
Donaldson’s vision is to be the most engaged, inspired, and recognized leader in the real estate industry by cultivating engaged employees, inspired teams, and setting new standards for industry excellence. The mission that drives this vision is simple but profound: to deliver Peace of Mind in every interaction – by staying true to our values and building lasting partnerships. Peace of mind isn’t a slogan at Donaldson. It’s the daily outcome of living our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Commitment, and Adaptability.
Culture isn’t simply aspirational, but also measurable. Donaldson’s Culture KPI framework includes four critical dimensions: Psychological Safety, Peace of Mind, Team Engagement, and Client Trust, each aligning directly with our vision and mission. These KPIs provide insight into how people experience Donaldson, both inside and outside the organization.
- Psychological Safety- Do team members feel safe sharing their voice, taking measured risks, and challenging the norm?
- Peace of Mind- Do team members feel supported, respected, and confident in their workplace experience?
- Team Engagement- Are team members motivated, growing, and connected to their purpose?
- Client Trust- Do clients view us as transparent, communicative, and strategic partners?
How We Use Culture KPIs to Drive Growth and Accountability
Our Culture KPI process takes a survey to the next level, transforming it into a feedback loop that drives real change. Every quarter, all team members complete short surveys measuring Psychological Safety, Peace of Mind, and Team Engagement. Every six months, clients participate in a parallel survey measuring Client Experience & Trust.
Here’s what sets our process apart:
• Action-Oriented: Responses to every question are deeply analyzed and tracked over time by company leadership to identify trends, strengths, and areas for improvement.
• Transparent: Key insights are shared openly with all team members- no black box.
• Responsive: We solicit additional feedback from all team members in identified areas for improvement and take meaningful, visible action based on this feedback.
Whether it’s improved training and coaching support, streamlined processes, or cultural alignment initiatives, Donaldson turns insights into impact.
This makes our Culture KPIs a living compass—not just a scorecard—for cultural health.
Why It Matters to You
For employees and recruits, Donaldson’s Culture KPIs represents a promise:
At Donaldson, you will be seen, supported, and given room to grow. Your input will be solicited and will shape our workplace. You’ll work in an environment where trust is built, not assumed, and in a culture that values transparency, collaboration, and purpose—and where performance is driven by shared values, not fear or hierarchy.
For clients, our KPIs aren’t internal fluff to check boxes. They are performance tools and part of the service experience. The Client Trust & Experience survey ensures that we are held accountable to your goals, communication expectations, and strategic needs.
Donaldson stands apart by making culture measurable and purpose operational. Our Shifting Value Proposition is a strategy and also a way of doing business that elevates performance, trust, and people. This is how Donaldson makes peace of mind tangible, and how we build partnerships that endure and expand.
Join Us in Shaping the Future of Property Management
If you’re a professional seeking more than just a job- if you seek alignment with a company that lives its values in a workplace where you can thrive- then join us.
If you’re a client looking for a partner who delivers beyond the basics, then partner with us.
Let’s build something meaningful together.
Let’s build peace of mind for everyone.