Week 1 Discussion

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Ashford University *

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bus 318

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Management

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Feb 20, 2024

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docx

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2

Uploaded by SargentComputerSalamander37

Address the following in your discussion post based on your review of the articles and the assigned textbook reading: How is organizational culture usually formed? Who is ultimately responsible for how or if it changes? What have been your experiences (good and bad) of organizational culture (or subculture)? What would you change and how? How is organizational culture usually formed? Uhl-Bien et al. (2020) defines organizational culture as the shared actions, values, and beliefs within a company that influence how its members behave. This culture sets the expectations for employee behavior in the workplace. Organizational culture can vary greatly, ranging from fun and flexible to serious and toxic. Typically, this culture is established by the organization's founders, who prioritize certain values and behaviors that contribute to the group's success. Nonetheless, managers play a crucial role in maintaining operational cultures by upholding core values, effectively communicating them, and treating employees with respect. Who is ultimately responsible for how or if it changes? Organizational change is mainly led by top leaders who set the organization's tone, values, and direction. They have the power to introduce new policies and initiatives that impact the culture. However, change can also be driven by employees at all levels. While leaders start the change, it is the collective effort of everyone in the organization that decides its success and longevity. Therefore, leaders bear a big responsibility for change, but employees also have a vital role in cultural transformation. Employees play a crucial role in organizational change by being the ones who ultimately implement and sustain the changes that leaders introduce. Their buy-in, commitment, and willingness to adapt to new ways of working are essential for the success of any change initiative. Employees can provide valuable insights, feedback, and ideas that can help leaders make informed decisions and ensure that the change is well- received and effectively implemented throughout the organization. By actively engaging employees in the change process, leaders can create a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement that drives the organization forward.
What have been your experiences (good and bad) of organizational culture (or subculture)? Throughout my life, I have been involved in various organizations, and I must say that each one has its own strengths and weaknesses in terms of their organizational culture. One organization I was a part of had a culture that was extremely negative and unpleasant. This toxicity was a result of the top two leaders showing favoritism towards a select few members who possessed negative personality traits, creating an exclusive group. Consequently, this created a clear and unhealthy division within the organization. It wasn't until these leaders and some members of the exclusive group retired that things started to improve and the organizational culture began to change for the better. However, it was a challenging task to alter the deeply ingrained toxic environment. The members of the exclusive group received special treatment and were protected by the toxic leaders. On the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic brought about significant changes in my organization's culture, as it forced us to come together and support one another and our families. Ultimately, this experience strengthened the unity within our organizational culture. What would you change and how? Addressing a toxic work environment requires a comprehensive strategy rooted in transformational leadership principles. The first step is to encourage open communication to uncover the root causes of toxicity. As a transformational leader, I would actively listen to employees, demonstrating empathy and authenticity. Additionally, I would focus on creating a shared vision for a positive work culture, emphasizing values like respect, collaboration, and personal growth. This vision would be consistently reinforced through actions such as recognizing positive behavior and addressing toxic behavior promptly and fairly. Moreover, I would empower employees by offering opportunities for skill development, autonomy, and involvement in decision-making. This approach would foster a sense of ownership and accountability among the team, eliminating any divisions and ensuring equal opportunities for all. Finally, by modeling ethical behavior and promoting transparency, trust can be rebuilt within the organization, paving the way for a lasting transformation of the organizational culture. References: DuBrin, A. J. (2023). Fundamentals of organizational behavior (7th ed.). Academic Media Solutions.
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