Know Your Culture

When I talk with people in corporations around the topic of culture – often they interpret that to mean different ethnic groups of people within their company. However, when in the same conversation when I inquire as to the criteria used for selection of a new hire the response often is we look for someone that “fits our culture”. As we continue to talk I learn that what is meant by fitting our culture refers to things such as, does the applicant enjoy the things we enjoy – is their marital status in harmony with the flow of the office – does the applicant life outside of work align the majority of the others at the company?

To be clear for this conversation let’s define culture within the work place as:

The shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructs, and affective understanding that are learned through a process of socialization. These shared patterns identify the members of a culture group while also distinguishing those of another group.

People within a culture usually interpret the meaning of symbols, artifacts, and behaviors in the same or in similar ways.

That said, it is important for the success and sustainability of the company to know defining points of their company couture. These points would be related to what you believe, how you want to behave and where you want to go and take your company.

What is the things in which you believe? This can be regarding your company wants to treat costumers, clients, employees. In addition, this will also help in defining the vision for the company and the path chosen to pursue that vision. This also includes what you see as the ‘role’ your company may have within the greater community. By that I mean will you be involved within the neighboring or greater community, if so how. Will your employees have a community service relationship within the community.