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Take Me to Your Leader

If your organization was to merge with another, would you be able to articulate the ground rules to your new colleagues? Organizational culture maps, like individual Mental Maps, are made up of unwritten rules. Most people who have been in an organization for a period of time know the majority of the rules, although few people can readily articulate them.

Why are these rules important? Because they govern our behavior in a group, affect working relationships, and impact creativity and innovation.

Use the “Take Me To Your Leader” Tool to identify your individual and organizational assumptions and unwritten rules:

You have been chosen as the Earthling host to an alien, who has just arrived from Mars, and must integrate itself into today’s business world. The alien will be working in a job very similar to yours in your organization. What assumptions and rules would you need to teach your guest? What would you tell your alien guest about what to do or not to do to be successful? What would you tell it about your customers? Your company? Your industry?

Here is a list of questions to help jumpstart your thinking about what to tell your new friend:

  • What behaviors are encouraged or discouraged?

  • What are the rules about time (Be on time for meetings; Don't waste time; Don't be seen just thinking; What time to arrive for work and what time to leave)?

  • What are the rules about asking questions (Are there particular subjects that are off limits? Are there certain people you don't question?)

  • What happens when someone makes a mistake?

  • What do people talk about when they talk informally about work?

  • What policies can be broken without punishment?

  • What policies absolutely cannot be violated?

  • Do people put most of their time and energy into politics or results?

  • What are the rules about disagreement and conflict?

  • What happens when someone brings up a new idea?

  • What behaviors and accomplishments are talked about in performance reviews?

  • Is there a dress code? What is it? What happens when it is broken?

  • Why do your customers buy your products/services?

  • What are your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses?

  • What one thing could your competitors do that would put you out of business?

  • What would happen if your biggest product or service became obsolete?

  • Why aren’t your non-customers your customers?

  • When and why do your customers fire your company?

  • Why do you work for your company and not a competitor?

  • In what ways has your industry/company resisted the Internet?

Here’s one more hint: As you're thinking about what advice you would give to your new friend, you’ll know you are on the right track if you use the words:

  • Should

  • Shouldn't

  • Can't

  • Don't

  • Do it this way


Shannon Bradford is a writer and coach, helping people learn how to master their brains to succeed in their careers and businesses. She is the author of Brain Power (Wiley, 2002).

©  2002 Shannon Bradford

 

 


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