An article of interest on an-oft used whipping boy for failed change efforts. The authors argue one is most likely to succeed using an organization’s existing culture to help change behaviors in the shorter-term. These behaviors can in turn change the culture in the longer run.
When a new leader’s strategy puts the culture of a company at risk, the culture will trump the strategy, almost every time. There are good reasons for this. Every company’s identity — the body of capabilities and practices that distinguish it and make it effective — is grounded in the way people think and behave. Deeply embedded cultural influences tend to persist; they change far more slowly than marketplace factors, and cause significant morale problems when not addressed effectively. When your strategy and culture clash visibly, more likely than not, the culture is trying to tell you something about your own leadership philosophy.
From Strategy + Business.
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