I'm sure you know this but this phrase simply means that it is better to have a good culture than a good strategy, broadly speaking. Mind you, I'm not saying this is true or not.
Your phrase:
>>so without strategy, culture starves?
Seems to be argumentative for argument's sake without taking into account the intended meaning of the original phrase. Not surprised you pissed them off.
So enlightened, they then set to managing me out.