by Steve Mulligan
Self Assessment
Every organization has a different culture. Culture drives the way things get done. The culture of an organization is not determined by the organizational chart, but by the behaviors that have been rewarded over time and how the power really works inside the organization. It is not written anywhere, but understood by everyone. Culture develops over time and is extremely difficult to change. Experts say it can take up to 10 years of concentrated effort to change a corporate culture. Before you sign on with a new company, you should be certain that you are comfortable in the culture of the organization. Being uncomfortable in a corporate culture can create a lot of misery on the job.
Knowing if you are going to be comfortable in a corporate culture starts with understanding yourself. You need to assess your likes and dislikes and ways you prefer to operate to determine what you would be comfortable with. Think about your past jobs and what motivated you and what irritated you. There are several areas you need to examine.
Leadership and Management Style
The style of management differs from one organization to another. Some focus on leading people and managing projects. Others manage people. Within an organization, management styles can differ from manager to manager. Success, however, which is determined by the culture, will influence how many managers manage. Some people are comfortable with ambiguous management. Others seek more structure. Others just want to know what direction to go and go there. Others need more support. It is very important for you to recognize how you like to be managed and how you manage or lead your staff. Think about the characteristics both good and bad of managers that you have had in the past. An honest assessment is going to help you make the right decision.
How Things Get Done
Though not as personally impactful as being managed, the way things get done in an organization can make life fun or unbearable. You need to assess your comfort level with how you like to get your work done. Do you enjoy working with teams or by yourself? Do you like to go to meetings or do they bore you to death? Are you able to sell ideas through presentations and reports? Do you function well in controlled environments, or do you need to have more freedom? How you like to get your work done can be very important in your career satisfaction if you match the culture of the organization.
Pace and Multi-tasking
The pace of workflow has increased in many organizations over time, as downsizing and need to improve performance has intensified. You should understand your comfort level with the pace of activities in your new job. You should also be honest about your ability to multi-task. Some organizations operate in crisis mode all the time – racing from one crisis to another. Others are more deliberate in the pace of work. You should recognize where your comfort level is and be sure you can handle the culture of the company’s pace.
Interpersonal Relationships
How people relate to each other is another cultural mine field for many. Some cultures are more socially based than others. Some are strictly business, and nothing else. How friendly you want to be with co-workers can be a determining factor in happiness in the work place. Some people like to bring personal lives into the workplace, others do not. Being out of sync with the culture can be very uncomfortable.
If you are honest with yourself in assessing your personality traits and what makes you feel comfortable, you will be able to find a great fit for your career. It is more than just a job. It is a major part of your life, and you should be comfortable and able to succeed in the right atmosphere.