I agree that "culture is only observed". I know we're all living through COVID-19 but if the runway was clear I can tell you that many large companies wanted employees to show up at work (as in the building). Informally, from my management I always heard "watercooler conversations" and the value that they bring to create/share/promote and thusly define the culture...
re Neal Stephenson, He has always been a great writer of prose, description, scenery, motivation, and many other things and has never been able to find a great ending to his great books. They just kind of run out. I'm 3 hours left on Termination shock and worried this will be more of the same.
Can't say I totally agree with this observation; I believe that organization takes on the character (and reflects the culture) of its leadership. Put another way, the fish rots from the head. If the leadership promotes, displays and rewards an open-door, team oriented communicative culture, then those seeking to advance and be successful in that organization will adopt the "culture" of that organization. Therefore, the leadership has a direct "input" to the culture of that organization. So, when you are in a position of leadership, be very careful of not only what you say, but what you reward from a behavioral perspective (the same can be said of being a parent, your children are watching everything you say and do). I believe that the three things the leadership in an organization can do to promote a "positive" culture is to influence, inspire and mentor. By providing direction through influence, building inspiration to generate creative thinking and transfer of knowledge through mentor-ship, leaders can create a positive culture.
I agree that "culture is only observed". I know we're all living through COVID-19 but if the runway was clear I can tell you that many large companies wanted employees to show up at work (as in the building). Informally, from my management I always heard "watercooler conversations" and the value that they bring to create/share/promote and thusly define the culture...
re Neal Stephenson, He has always been a great writer of prose, description, scenery, motivation, and many other things and has never been able to find a great ending to his great books. They just kind of run out. I'm 3 hours left on Termination shock and worried this will be more of the same.
Can't say I totally agree with this observation; I believe that organization takes on the character (and reflects the culture) of its leadership. Put another way, the fish rots from the head. If the leadership promotes, displays and rewards an open-door, team oriented communicative culture, then those seeking to advance and be successful in that organization will adopt the "culture" of that organization. Therefore, the leadership has a direct "input" to the culture of that organization. So, when you are in a position of leadership, be very careful of not only what you say, but what you reward from a behavioral perspective (the same can be said of being a parent, your children are watching everything you say and do). I believe that the three things the leadership in an organization can do to promote a "positive" culture is to influence, inspire and mentor. By providing direction through influence, building inspiration to generate creative thinking and transfer of knowledge through mentor-ship, leaders can create a positive culture.