Final answer:
A project manager can learn about a company's organizational culture by asking if there are company sanctioned social events and how projects are typically run. These questions, coupled with employee feedback and observation, provide insight into the values and workplace norms.
Step-by-step explanation:
To uncover a company's organizational culture, a project manager can ask several pertinent questions. Questions such as Are there company sanctioned social events? and How are projects typically run? would be valuable in understanding the set values and behavior trends within the organization. Meanwhile, queries about the company's best-selling product or service and its foundation date might provide some context but are less directly linked to the nuances of workplace culture. To effectively gauge the culture, focus should be placed on how the company regulates behavior, the leadership dynamics, and employee satisfaction indicators.
Contacting current or former employees to find out their job satisfaction levels and manager's work styles could also be instrumental. Observing workplace interaction during visits and paying attention to the nature of social events can further reveal norms and expectations. This multifaceted approach, consisting of direct questions, observation, and feedback, helps project managers acclimate to and align with the company's culture.