Appropriate Corporate Culture

We help companies become and stay ethical by showing the hidden dynamics in the organization that prevent employees from acting ethically.
Most employees know right from wrong - the real issue is why they don't act on what they know?

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DEVELOPING THE APPROPRIATE CULTURE

Business Culture Handshake

Modern students of culture have long shown that while it partly determines behavior, it also enables people to change behavior. People use their culture as a frame for understanding their world, and as a resource to do much of what they want. The same cultural patterns can frame different kinds of behavior, and by failing to explore culture at any depth, analysts miss a great opportunity to re-frame attitudes in a way that encourages desirable behavior and outcomes. Poverty of the Mind by Orlando Patterson, New York Times
March 26, 2006

Each strategy requires an appropriate culture.

Are you bound by government or industry rules and regulations?

Are you a player in a market that is squeezed by many competitors?

Are you needing fast responses to customers?

Are your customers demanding high touch?

Do you want to drive the market?

Each of these requires certain cultural attributes to be done well. Culture is not homogeneous, but lives in pockets as a reflection of leadership style.

The Evolution of Corporate
Culture e-Workbook

This workbook will help you better understand your own culture AND if it supports your strategic needs. One half hour of consulting is included with purchase.

Be sure to include your email address. We will email you the e-Workbook upon receipt.

Cultures Have Character
We speak of the character of cultures as a reflection of the kinds of people they attract.

wings of desire

The tension between what we want and what we have
can affect our productivity.

This person is a nurse in a system that is doing telephone triage.
Nurses are given 15 minutes to diagnose sometimes hysterical patients. She is in conflict with her own needs (red) and those of her organization(blue). Interestingly, meeting her needs would better serve the patient!

Birds of a Feather TM Human Needs in Action

Our model, "Birds of a Feather"TM helps us measure culture based on the following characteristics.

CANARIES

Canary
Canaries have safety as a prime concern and so prefer a "Command and Control" management style that has clear boundaries and guidelines.

PENGUINS

Penguins love order, standards and regulations. They too prefer a "command and Control" management style with defined policies and procedures.

EAGLES

Eagles want to fly as high as they can and winning is everything. They prefer a "Command and Control" management style only if they "command and control".

BARN SWALLOWS

Barn Swallows focus on the group and what best serves the team, task, division, company. They share lessons and work for the best out come for everyone. They prefer a Collaborative management style.

SWANS

Swans want to extend themselves in every way they can that serves the larger whole. They love to test themselves and always think outside of the box. They prefer an Innovative management style.

Understanding the tensions between where you are and where you want to be is the beginning of wisdom. The strengths and weaknesses of each culture will have a profound impact on the effectiveness of the organization and on how ethically robust that culture will be under pressure.

To explore how YOUR culture stacks up
Call (303) 440-5833 or Toll Free (888) 331-7492
EMAIL: info@ethicalimpact.com

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