|
|
Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! |  |
|
Understanding Organizational Culture
| Guest post by: Roger Ingbretsen |
Article Overview: An excellent approach to understanding the real organizational culture is to see it as the language of day-to-day feelings expressed through the individual and collective beliefs, gestures, words and actions of its members. This real organizational culture does not occur or evolve simply as the result of prominently displayed words. Culture evolves because of the actual behaviors and actions of all members of the organization particularly those in leadership positions.
 |
Free Download - Stay Employed In A Down Economy By Roger Ingbretsen |
Understanding Organizational Culture
Culture is the set of values,
norms, practices and behaviors that an organization uses to define and shape
its day-to-day activities. Culture conveys the feeling of a pervasive pattern
of organizational life and a set of acceptable norms. These patterns of
organizational culture and values emerge and manifest themselves in three
complex levels: (1.) The level of deep tacit assumptions, the shared,
unconscious beliefs, thoughts and feelings that are the very essence of the
organizational culture; (2.) The level of espoused beliefs such as the written
company values statement, which most often reflects how the organization wants
to present itself; and (3.) The actual day-to-day behavior or how the
organization typically presents itself, which is a complex compromise between
the deep tacit assumptions and the espoused beliefs, modified by the
requirements and pressures of the immediate business situation.
The overall complexity of these
three stated levels are colored by all of the organizational and individual
beliefs, feelings, emotions, wants, desires, dreams, talents and opinions –
expressed and suppressed. All of these factors contribute to the chaotic nature
of what we call “organizational cultural behavior.”
An excellent approach to
understanding the “real” organizational culture is to see it as the language of
day-to-day feelings expressed through the individual and collective beliefs,
gestures, words and actions of its members. This real organizational culture
does not occur or evolve simply as the result of prominently displayed words.
Culture evolves because of the actual behaviors and actions of all members of
the organization – particularly those in leadership positions.
A carefully thought-out set of
cultural values, lived, taught and orchestrated by all individuals especially
those in leadership positions, is key for enhancing the organizations ability
to realize its true potential. However, an excellent culture is only sustained
over time when the majority of stakeholders in the organization demonstrate the
desired behavior by setting the example. To that end, it is the responsibility
of leadership to grow and evolve the organizations’ culture along with the full
participation of those they lead.
Culture is very much about the
values and behaviors that show up in the conversations we have with our
customers, our co-workers, and ourselves…“when no one is watching.” They form
the essential definition of who we are collectively and individually. That is,
there is no such thing as the private person and the public person –the person
we are away from work and the person we are at work. The person we bring to
work – our attitude, behavior and action – is the way we show up at work. It is
that person, who must be aligned with the purpose of serving the customer (both
internal and external) like no one else.
Our individual cultural values
are not simply a “suit of clothes” we put on, but rather who we really are. Our
cultural values are the personal and powerful messages we send when living
our values rather than merely stating them. This is the reason it is so
important bring into an organization only those people who possess the values,
behaviors and attitude, which supports the organizations desired culture.
A guiding purpose of an
organization should be to deliver genuine value to the customers they
serve. They should do this by providing
innovative solutions and solid customer service in a manner that rewards the
customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. An organization should
be grounded in the fundamental belief that they must consciously and
consistently treat every customer and every person associated with the
organization with utmost dignity and respect.
Above all, an organization must
believe in the talent and leadership of its employees at all levels to create
and deliver solutions that will set the standard for excellence and customer
value, now and in the future. To that end, the organization must commit itself
to fostering a culture that is at the same time both open and disciplined. The
organization must be disciplined enough to develop a work environment that
encourages a pioneering spirit, embraces the full meaning of diversity,
recognizes and rewards dedication and inspires high performance. Such an environment serves the needs of
customers, employees, their families and the communities in which they live.
Is your leadership effective?
The Importance of Organizational Cultural Values
You Get What You Reward
Five Essential Steps for Creating a Coaching Culture
Building your Leadership Culture for Todays Business Climate
Article Tags: leadership and culture, organizational culture, understanding organizational culture
|
About the Author: Roger Ingbretsen RSS for Roger's articles - Visit Roger's website Roger is a member of the International Coaching Federation. Additionally, he has completed many professional training programs attaining numerous certifications, a few of which include: The Harvard Law School “win-win” negotiation process, the Center for Creative Leadership “360-Degree Feedback” evaluation process and “Coach the Coach” program, the Zenger Miller “Team Training Certification Seminar” and “Executive Coaching” practices from the Professional School of Psychology, California. He is also a qualified administrator of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality inventory.
Click here to visit Roger's website   Break The Rules Think And Be Adaptive Role of the Supervisor Be There for Those You Supervise Understanding Organizational Culture Parents A 14 Step Guide For Preparing Your Children For The Real World Inspired Leadership at All Levels |
Related Forum Posts
HRPreneur
- Hi everyone,
I am new to the forum and I recently started my own Human Capital (HR) consulting firm called HRPreneur Inc. HRP focuses on making human capital a strategic differentiator for SME's.
Below is a summary about HRP;
Who We Are:
HRP is a Human Capital consulting firm with 30 years of experience that becomes an extension of your company by providing a full array of services to help you create a highly engaged workforce focused on achieving strategic results in order to build a long lasting great company!
Mission:
HRP provides small and medium sized businesses a Strategic HR Business Partner to increase employee engagement, resulting in cost savings, increased productivity and results at an affordable rate!
Vision:
To inspire and warrant SME's reach their full competency!
Cost Effectiveness:
We provide over 30 years of experience at a fraction of the cost at a strategic executive HR business level
You will save between 50% to 60% in costs per year on salary, bonus, benefits, training, office space alone
We will provide you additional cost efficiencies through our services
Services:
Strategic Human Resources Planning
Organizational Redesign
Change Management
Organizational Culture Development
Employee Engagement Programs
Leadership Assessment and Development
Compensation Design
Talent Acquisition
Assimilation and On-Boarding
Performance Management
Talent Management & Succession Planning
Human Resources Due Diligence
Human Resources Audit
Full Service HR Outsourcing
English teachers learn Japanese as Interns
- Yasunori, what about the many students that leave N. America to teach English in Japan. They may want to learn Japanese (maybe Business Japanese is a bit different) and the Japanese Business Culture.
Global Ad Agency Seeks Senior Sales Account Executive
- Global Ad Agency -- We are seeking experienced advertising Senior Sales Account Executives to join our growing sales force in New York office.
ICMediaDirect.com, Inc is a Full Service Online Advertising Agency driven by a united goal to provide both online as well as offline advertisers with easy and affordable ways to plan and buy media online. We are proud to present an impressive roster of over 300 satisfied clients and a wide reach of billions of visitors each month. With two great locations - N.Y. and D.C. - we know how to PLAN your media, how to BUY your media, how to TRACK your media and how to CAPITALIZE your media.
Qualifications
Minimum 2 years of active ONLINE advertising sales experience
Responsible and aggressive attitude
Successful track record with ONLINE sales
Understanding Internet advertising vehicles such as pops, banners, search and lead generation is required
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Strong computer skills are required
Detail oriented and well-organized
Ability to work independently
Enthusiastic team player
The Best office location in the city! Competitive salary (plus commission), bonuses and benefits.
Please send your resume with salary expectations today at jobs@icmediadirect.com!
Re: Global Ad Agency Seeks Senior Sales Account Executive
- [quote="RobertGresch":1lt645d1]Global Ad Agency -- We are seeking experienced advertising Senior Sales Account Executives to join our growing sales force in New York office.
ICMediaDirect.com, Inc is a Full Service Online Advertising Agency driven by a united goal to provide both online as well as offline advertisers with easy and affordable ways to plan and buy media online. We are proud to present an impressive roster of over 300 satisfied clients and a wide reach of billions of visitors each month. With two great locations - N.Y. and D.C. - we know how to PLAN your media, how to BUY your media, how to TRACK your media and how to CAPITALIZE your media.
Qualifications
Minimum 2 years of active ONLINE advertising sales experience
Responsible and aggressive attitude
Successful track record with ONLINE sales
Understanding Internet advertising vehicles such as pops, banners, search and lead generation is required
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Strong computer skills are required
Detail oriented and well-organized
Ability to work independently
Enthusiastic team player
The Best office location in the city! Competitive salary (plus commission), bonuses and benefits.
Please send your resume with salary expectations today at jobs@icmediadirect.com![/quote:1lt645d1]
Hi Robert,
Welcome to our forums! Have you had any luck in your search for this job candidate and can I ask what other sites you've used to advertise this position?
Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.
Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
by: 
4 Building Blocks of an Effective Talent Management System
Simon Fuller Quotes
Lesson #3: Tell em quick and tell em often
Searching for the Stars: How Yang and Filo Took Their Business to New Heights
Salesperson Wimp-Out: I Need Help 
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Looking for an Easy Online Business Opportunity?
Ten Things You Can Do To Be a Better Leader
2011 Global Brand Trends Letter
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.