Final answer:
To mobilize organizational culture effectively, one must understand the existing culture, gain leadership commitment, involve employees, and articulate a clear vision. Communicate effectively, align subcultures, implement appropriate reward systems, offer training, review and adapt cultural efforts, and build resilience among employees.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mobilizing organizational culture is crucial for the success and adaptability of any institution. Organizational culture involves the values, beliefs, attitudes, and systems that influence the behaviour of employees within a workplace. It represents the collective understanding of "how things are done around here." Understanding and mobilizing this culture can lead to a more cohesive and high-performing organization.
Below are the 10 principles for mobilizing organizational culture:
Understanding the Current Culture - Before changes can be made, it's essential to have a deep understanding of the current culture, which includes the observable artefacts, espoused values, and basic assumptions as identified by Ostroff, Kinicki, and Tamkins (2003).
Leadership Commitment - Leaders must be dedicated to fostering and aligning the culture with the organization's goals and demonstrating this commitment through their actions.
Employee Involvement - Actively involve employees at all levels, as they are the ones who live the culture every day.
Clear Vision and Values - Clearly articulate the organization's vision and values to guide the behaviours and decisions of all employees.
Communication - Utilize effective communication to ensure that all employees understand the culture and how they contribute to it.
Align Subcultures - Different departments may have subcultures; aligning these with the overarching organizational culture is crucial for a unified approach.
Reward and Recognition Systems - Implement systems that recognize and reward behaviours that align with the desired organizational culture.
Training and Development - Invest in training programs that help employees understand and embody cultural values.
Review and Adapt - Regularly review the cultural initiatives and remain flexible to make adjustments as needed.
Reflect and Build Resilience - Encourage employees to reflect upon their own resilience and how it impacts their alignment with the organizational culture, thus contributing to career success.
Successfully mobilizing an organizational culture also requires an understanding of the dynamics within a culture. This encompasses the role of subculture and counterculture, as well as recognizing that culture is an arena of argument and contest where members may have different interpretations of shared culture. Also, innovations and changes play a pivotal role in the evolution of cultural practices, leading to cultural mobility and change over time.