Building Balance in a Company Culture
Think about the organizational culture of your company. Is it centralized or decentralized? Top-down or bottom up? Traditional or innovative? We are so used to seeing organizational culture in binary terms: “this or that,” rather than “both and.”
In today’s world of speed and complexity, a different perspective is needed. This article describes an organization culture theory that can help. Polarity management, developed by Barry Johnson, proposes that some of today’s organization problems are so complex, that the goal should not be single approaches and solutions. Instead, we should focus on balancing different perspectives, or poles.
So, instead of selecting a centralized or decentralized culture, or a culture of top-down clarity or emergent self-direction, companies and teams should seek to balance competing poles. This is because too much of any pole blocks the benefits that come from the other pole. For example, an organization may adopt self-directed teams to support empowerment, but also instill a culture that embraces repeatable processes and clear milestones to ensure accountability.
Workplace diversity management is a great topic for understanding polarity management theory. Celebrating diversity usually focuses on acknowledging and highlighting the benefits of differences. However, it is also important that an organization or team have a common sense of identify and cohesion – forming a “tribe” that stresses what is shared, rather than what is diverse. These are complex forces to balance, and polarity management offers a new framework for expanding what might be possible.
When your organization or team defines two poles that may appear to conflict – such as centralization or decentralization, or top-down or bottom-up – ask yourself how both could coexist. What are the benefits of each pole? What downsides might come from overemphasizing one over another? What action items or organization change steps are suggested by this analysis?
Polarity management provides a framework for asking these questions, and for supporting a richer, more diverse organization culture.
Choose a Seminar and Save $10
How to Manage Remote Employees
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- HRCI: 5.5
- PDC: 6
Team Training - Virtual or In-person
How Managers Become Great Leaders
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 12
-
Dec 13
-
Dec 18
-
+ 10 more dates
In-Person Events:
- Mar 18, Sacramento, CA
- Mar 19, San Jose, CA
-
+ 2 more dates
Managing with Assertive Confidence
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 12
-
Dec 18
-
Jan 10
-
+ 3 more dates
Transitioning to Supervisor
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 13
-
Dec 17
-
Dec 18
-
+ 36 more dates
In-Person Events:
- Jan 15, Anaheim, CA
- Jan 16, San Diego, CA
-
+ 1 more dates
How to Supervise People
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- PDC: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 17
-
Jan 8
-
Jan 16
-
+ 18 more dates
The Indispensable Office Manager
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 17
-
Jan 7
-
Jan 16
-
+ 6 more dates
A Crash Course for the First-Time Manager or Supervisor
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- HRCI: 5.5
- PDC: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 17
-
Dec 18
-
Jan 6
-
+ 22 more dates
In-Person Events:
- Dec 16, Anaheim, CA
- Dec 17, Sacramento, CA
Criticism & Discipline Skills for Managers and Supervisors
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- HRCI: 5.5
- PDC: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 18
-
Jan 8
-
Jan 16
-
+ 7 more dates
How to Supervise Bad Attitudes and Negative Behaviors
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- HRCI: 5.5
- PDC: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 18
-
Jan 9
-
Jan 15
-
+ 15 more dates
Management & Leadership Skills for New Managers and Supervisors (2-Day)
- CEU: 1.2
- CPE: 12
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 18-19
-
Jan 7-8
-
Jan 9-10
-
+ 24 more dates
In-Person Events:
- Dec 12-13, Houston, TX
- Dec 17-18, Oakbrook Terrace, IL
-
+ 13 more dates
Leadership, Team-Building and Coaching Skills for Managers and Supervisors
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- HRCI: 5.5
- PDC: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 19
-
Jan 6
-
Jan 7
-
+ 34 more dates
In-Person Events:
- Dec 12, Oakbrook Terrace, IL
- Feb 18, Austin, TX
-
+ 11 more dates
Facilities Management - A 2-Day Comprehensive Course
- CEU: 1.2
- CPE: 12
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 19-20
-
Jan 6-7
-
Jan 8-9
-
+ 19 more dates
Be the Manager Your Employees Want to Follow
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- PDC: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 19
-
Jan 8
-
Jan 14
-
+ 7 more dates
How to Bargain & Negotiate with Vendors and Suppliers
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- HRCI: 5.5
Virtual Seminars:
-
Jan 8
-
Jan 13
-
Jan 24
-
+ 1 more dates
