Business culture is the sum of your organisation's key characteristics, values, and beliefs and is evidenced in actions and behaviour.
There are usually sub-cultures [often many] within any organisation
It is frequently “invisible” to those within it
It filters and distorts data received via the organisation – in line with the beliefs and values etc stored within it
It holds the “hidden software” that will determine how the organisation behaves
It determines what it focuses on
It is the source of the “hard-wired” resistance to change
The successful “reprogramming” of it is critical for a successful change programme
In my experience, it is the single biggest determinant of how an individual will behave within a business or organisational environment. It will over-ride education, intelligence and common-sense.
I have seen many senior people in large organisations behave in ways that on occasions defied common sense and the "blindingly obvious" - and they weren't aware of it [or if they were, they certainly weren't letting on!] Have you ever experienced or observed this?
It is also a major determinant in how people will react to change and your attempts to apply change management.
For another perspective - here is an interesting overview based on a chapter in Principles of Organizational Behaviour by Robin Fincham & Peter Rhodes:
Business Culture
“Meaningful change in results requires meaningful change in people, processes or technology; usually all three. The difference between a passing fad and lasting change lies in the extent to which you are able to change people's attitudes and behavior.”
Tom O'Dea
Organisational culture is - in my experience - most effectively changed by basing organisational change on personal change. The rational for this perspective:
An organisation can be regarded as a “macro individual”
An organisation comprises individuals
An organisation is transformed by transforming individuals
For more on this and with a timely reminder about related topics subscribe to your E-ZINE - "Strategies for Managing Change". Sent out approximately every 2 weeks to anyone involved in or planning a change initiative.
People who are undergoing the processes outlined above will be aware of the need for change, and may accept it in principle. But due to “hard wired” resistance to change and the “hidden software” of individual unconscious attitudes they will fall into 1 of 3 categories (usually the first two):
Wanting to be seen to want to do something
Wanting to be seen to be doing something
Wanting to actually do something
Each of us has deeply ingrained within us the instinctive WIFM response to change..."What's in it for me?"
It is only when we see the individual and personal benefit that we will truly accept and embrace a change of business culture.
This does not mean simply: "How can I profit from this?" but can also have the deeper meaning: "How is this consistent with my aspirations, and values and what's ultimately most important to me?"
The effective and successful leader needs to attend to the needs of each and every person impacted by the cultural change.
In my experience, this individual resistance to change is addressed effectively by:
Focusing the individual’s attention by arousing their survival instinct
Identifying the individual’s own personal vision and aspirations – what really “lights their fire”
Exploring and developing a shared perception of how their individual vision can be aligned with your organisational vision
Linking the aligned vision to their survival instinct
For another perspective - here is an interesting overview based on a chapter in Principles of Organizational Behaviour by Robin Fincham & Peter Rhodes:
