Culture Distinction or Extinction, Which Should You Choose?
We sometimes don’t know how things started, or perhaps worse, what caused them to end. What is the culture in your organization? Do you have culture distinction or is the culture headed for extinction?
The More We Learn
It seems like the more we learn, the deeper the questions become. Archeologists and anthropologists continue to dig up (sometimes literally) more details of a past that we often know little about.
There is of course the Inca civilization of South America in Southern Peru and Northern Chile, and the ancient Egyptian civilization of Northwest Africa in the Nile River Valley.
Both civilizations and geographic areas have interested many. The studies of their cultures, buildings, and activities are astonishing.
Stories, artifacts, and in some cases written or pictorial reflections give us some hints of the cultures that once were abundant and thriving.
What happened to them?
We may shrug our shoulders and say, “Who knows?”
Do you think the ancient cultures had a warning? Did they know that something was undermining their existence? Was it rules, greed, or even an overuse or abuse of resources?
What about the culture of your workplace? What is it about your culture or your environment that may go down in the history books? Is there a legacy being built or what picture (metaphorically or literally) will be left behind?
Culture Distinction
Most businesses today would suggest that they are building a culture of distinction. They want their story to be the story of success. The artifacts and pictures that line the walls of the lobby, the trophies in the showcase, and the press releases that put it all to a timeline.
For all existing organizations, the culture is their definition of success, failures, and the tenacity to withstand it all.
In all other cases, it is the case of extinction. Only the possibility of some artifacts remain. What will be the story?
What is the threat knocking on the door of your culture? Is anyone looking? Is there a warning that no one is considering?
Better not give it a shoulder shrug.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and corporate trainer. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
