In the course of our work, we are asked to assess organizational culture. Common areas we focus on in our assessment of the organization are the elements of culture. While there are a number of elements, one I’ve found particularly interesting is organizational stories. Stories are defined as the written or spoken accounts that take a variety of forms including legends, myths, and sagas. These may be “official” accounts or “unwritten rules” about what it is like to work at the organization. They are the “physical” descriptions of culture that are passed from employee to employee that help define what the organization is all about. To help define what it means to work in your organization, think about the following:
- What are the stories you or your co-workers tell when management isn’t around?
- What “unwritten rules” are shared with new employees?
- Who are the iconic or vilified characters in your organizational story?
- What do these stories say about what it means to work in your organization?
- Are these stories in direct alignment or competition with your organizational mission and values?
Tags: Beyond the Jargon, Calibra, culture, Leadership Development, legends, mission, myths, Organizational Culture, Paul Dillenburg, rules, sagas, stories, values
