Final answer:
To learn about a company's organizational culture, project managers should ask about the manager's work style, team dynamics, decision-making processes, and employee autonomy. These insights are more telling than financial goals or marketing strategies, as they reveal the underlying norms and expectations.
Step-by-step explanation:
To understand a company's organizational culture, project managers can ask questions beyond the company's financial goals or marketing strategy. It's crucial to delve into the values, beliefs, attitudes, and systems that shape the behavior of the employees within the company. Relevant questions might include asking about the manager's work style, such as whether they are collaborative, meeting-oriented, or hands-on. Understanding the dynamics between the manager and the team, including areas of strength and weakness, can reveal the norms and expectations that make up the workplace culture. This insight allows project managers to better anticipate and align with the organization's priorities, contributing to their project's success and their professional growth within that environment.
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Additional questions that could be insightful include how transparent the manager is with forwarding information to the team, how decisions are made, and the level of autonomy employees have. This heightens understanding of the company, helps to anticipate potential questions that might assess culture fit during an interview, and supports the project manager in contributing meaningfully to the team's goals.