Episodes on Org. Culture

These are episodes that discuss matters of organizational culture, climate, and related matters. Subtopics include:

  • Durable organizational structures with its formal, informal, and cognitive parts (e.g., institution theory)
  • Member commitment to the organization and organizational commitment to its members
  • Organizational identity and associated claims
  • Diversity, inclusion, and other strategic topics related to culture


5-7. Responsible Leadership: More than Being a Responsible Leader?

A leader’s responsibilities are more than accomplishing missions and caring for members, it is that the organization itself acts responsibly

5-6. When an Activity Counters its Original Purpose (a Story from a Science Fair)

Tells a vignette about how a wonderfully crafted, innovative display wound up earning a last place trophy for not following the rubric. Rules may be rules, but can they sometimes get in the way of the purpose for the event?

5-5. Why Can’t We Just Stop Using MacGregor’s Theory X?

If we favor Theory Y management, why can’t we just abandon Theory X? Is it because we learned to rely on Theory X or are we hard-wired not to trust people?

5-3. Could a New Co-Ed Sport Promote Gender Equality?

I argue that we need new co-ed sports designed to emphasize capabilities that men and women share equally while also being fun to watch

4-8. When an External Consultant is Too Close to the Leader

When leaders hire friends or colleagues as consultants, what happens when the consultants overstep their authorities or become abusive to members?

4-5. Is There a Difference Between Continuity and Complacency?

We all want to be ‘change agents,’ right? But sometimes reliability and predictability are good. So, is it good sometimes to be a ‘continuity agent’?

3-8. On an Organization’s Commitment to Its Members’ Families

My third episode looking at an organization’s commitment and obligations to its members, this time focusing on the care and welfare of members’ families

3-6. Can One Really Plan Culture Change?

Managers tend to use instrumental approaches to changing organizational culture, often to disappointing results. Why is that and what other options exist?

3-3. Brand Equity and Quickly Turning a “Loser” into a “Winner”

When a flagging brand turns itself around and becomes a winner, it’s interesting. But can it be replicated? And if so, what does it take?

3-2. On Counternarratives: Alternative Stories about the Organization

Nowadays, organizations cannot avoid being criticized. I explore the narrative structures that fuel the seemingly endless string of negative messages.

2-10. Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful …

Given a choice, where would you more likely take a job? When you answered, did the weather or climate play a role. If so, you’re probably not alone…

2-9. How to Stop Doing Something

Stopping something, like bad habits or change efforts is an important part of change, but is sorely overlooking in the popular change literature.

2-6. The Perils of Pursuing Efficiencies in Practice

A follow-up to a previous post on efficiency — looking at the practical challenges on how to make organizations more efficient in their performance

1-10. Reveling in The Holiday Spirit

Season one concludes with a look at the holiday season from both societal and organizational perspectives. What should we want to take away from the season?

1-9. Organizational Commitment to Members — Revisited

I get a chance to revisit one of my own pieces — about the extent to which Milton Hershey’s commitment to his factory workers applies to other contexts.

1-8. Are We Too Busy to Learn?

How do we address (and reverse) the trend of adding new requirements to already busy members without full consideration of the workload already present?

1-7. Leadership, Terminal Illness, and Organizational Grace

How the members of an organization respond when one of its senior leaders acquires a terminal illness says a lot about the organization.

1-3. Is ‘Competitive Advantage’ a Real Thing?

Explores the term ‘competitive advantage’ as presently used or overused in the media. Does it really meaning anything or is the meaning just assumed?