Workplace Opinions Determine Fit
Opinions, we all have them, right? Do your workplace opinions fit, or are they out of place?
For clarity, there is a difference between opinion and fact.
That’s a Fact
Suggesting that the pizza shop on the west side of town has the best pizza is an opinion. Unless, of course, the statement is, “Antonio’s Pizza won the best pizza in Clifton contest for the third year in a row.”
When we suggest that getting to work early is better than staying late, it is an opinion. The same is true for taking breaks, having background music in the office, and whether or not to have Hawaiian shirt Friday’s.
Opinions help form the culture. They help form what is symbolic about the organization, what stands out, and how outsiders remember or connect.
When you want to join the Facebook group, or when you choose to join an organized club or association, there is an expectation of conduct and fit.
Individual attitudes and perceptions help shape the image. They’re often based on opinions, not facts.
Workplace Opinions
There is more than a statement in, “This is the template for all corporate slide decks.” It is true for how visitors are treated, response times for customers and vendors, and how the pecking order of the parking lot works.
Organizations often promote the idea of change. Yet, largely, their opinions and beliefs about whether the clock pendulum ticks left before right, or right before left, is deeply rooted in the culture.
Opinions often determine fit. Opinions also tend to steer the direction of culture.
The next time you give a presentation to the C-Suite, request a lunch appointment with the CEO, or decide to wear flip-flops on Friday, you may want to check the culture for fit.
If it is important that you fit, it is best to develop an understanding of the cultural opinions first.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. 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.
