People and Management January 2019 | Page 27

www.peopleandmanagement.com I t’s a very prevalent fact that culture drives organizations and it’s the most unlikable factor when organizations are working on Change Management. Culture is like blood fl owing through the veins of th e organization orga or gani niza zati tion on f from rom ro m to top p to o bottom, the n affecting each and every in individual, r process and success or failur failure. processes and measuring the p o s i t ive o f n e g a t ive f a c t o r s infl uencing the behaviour of people in organization. The information collected is evaluated, analysed and feedback is shared with the members. This helps employees to build rappor t and improve relationships across teams and hierarchy of the organization. How do you defi ne culture? cultu u One of the widely known defi nitions nitii from The Business Dictionary is: Organizational Culture encompasses values va a and behaviours that “contribut t to the “contribute unique social and psychological psych environment of an organization”. organii Organization culture is d dynamic and changes as per th h socio- the economic aspects of the members m o and influenced by geo geographic Organizatio o presence. Organizational Though how r rational i t m a y s e e m t o h av e certain culturall values, it always come e under comes scrutiny as organ n organizational development in initiatives are undertaken n by the organization. As A I said, culture is dynam dynamic, so it should change in acc c accordance to the undergoing changes because of paradigm shifts in the organization. Unfortunately, Unforr culture becomes the biggest Organ n challenge in any Organizational Development (OD) project and an n hence, the need to acknowledge the e present culture of the organization a and make it future ready. OD interventions for organization culture cha change: a 1. D i a g n o s t i c A c t iv i t y : T h i s a c t iv i t y i nvo l v e s s u r v e y s , interviews and group discussions diss w i t h e m p l o ye e s a c r o s s t h e hierarchy; and observ observation of Activities are designed and performed with groups of people to improve interpersonal relationships, manage confl ict and identify solutions to the problems. 2. Team Building & Intergroup i n t e r a c t i o n s : Activities are designed and performed with groups of people to improve interpersonal relationships, manage confl ict and identify solutions to the problems. This sense of collective efforts amongst team members and across the teams enables them to face the changes and provides a scientifi c approach towards shift. 3. Sensitivity Training: Sensitivity training provides opportunity for unstructured interactions and thus creates an environment of empathy and tolerance towards each other. 4. OD Consultation: OD consultants act as a catalyst to break the monotonous and deep-rooted culture, and bring the positive change across the organization. Consultants help members to understand each other’s importance and how employees can become valuable to each other during the times of change and how they can collectively achieve the organizational goals. As I always say, OD is not a short term task; it’s a long-term commitment towards building a better future for everyone in the organization. Your next stage is defined by the culture you adopt. Share your concerns or your advice for organization culture. Happy to help! P & M Vol. 10 Issue 1 • JANUARY 2019, Noida | 27