Why is organizational culture such a centripetal force in organizations? Lew Ger

Question

Why is organizational culture such a centripetal force in organizations? Lew Gerstner, who was CEO of IBM, once said it was easier to kill an organization than change the culture. If culture is so ingrained in organizations how does one go about changing the culture? Would you expect the culture at the 100 best corporations to work for is different than at many or most of the other major corporations? Ethics is frequently inter meshed with culture. Do we go through cycles where ethics is undermined and there are significant ethics scandals in business and government? Have you experienced ethics violations in your workplace or in your own personal experience?

Explanation / Answer

Why is organizational culture such a centripetal force in organizations?  

The culture of the workplace controls the way employees behave amongst themselves as well as with people outside the organization.

The culture of the workplace also goes a long way in promoting healthy competition at the workplace

Certain organizations follow a culture where all the employees irrespective of their designations have to step into the office on time. Such a culture encourages the employees to be punctual which eventually benefits them in the long run. It is the culture of the organization which makes the individuals a successful professional.

The work culture promotes healthy relationship amongst the employees. No one treats work as a burden and moulds himself according to the culture.

Lew Gerstner, who was CEO of IBM, once said it was easier to kill an organization than change the culture. If culture is so ingrained in organizations how does one go about changing the culture?

Sometimes, changes in culture is required due to the following driving factors:

1. Improved business performance:

2. To respond to significant change:

3. To address/correct illegal or unethical activity

Would you expect the culture at the 100 best corporations to work for is different than at many or most of the other major corporations?

Yes, a majority of the best companies will have more or less similar cultures, the best being the following:

1. Hiring People Who Fit Your Culture

2. Having Employees Know the Values and the Mission of the Company

3. Knowing That Good Decisions Can Come from Anywhere

4. Realizing You’re a Team and Not a Bunch of Individuals

Ethics is frequently inter meshed with culture. Do we go through cycles where ethics is undermined and there are significant ethics scandals in business and government? Have you experienced ethics violations in your workplace or in your own personal experience?

Yes, we go through periodic cycles where thics are undermiuned. But then, there are certain leaders who go out of thei way to correct the cultural system to promote growth and harmony in the organization. Such businesses thrive the internal politics in the organisation and succeed in the longer run.

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