Leading Organizational Culture in an Era of Change – Part II by: Arthur F. Carmazzi
Cultivating a corporate culture were leaders develop leaders and decisions are competently made to achieve the organizational objectives is an achievable outcome. And it starts with understanding the 7 key psychological influences an Environmental Leader manages (2 keys of personal awareness and 5 pillars of Transformation) to cultivate a group and culture that effectively supports the greater abilities and fulfillment, even passion, of the members of that group, and nurtures leadership within.
2 keys of personal awareness:
It is Self awareness that leads to the recognition of the keys, which must be accepted before the Environmental Leader can build the final 5 Pillars of a transformational environment. The first step is the ability to realize that we will consciously or subconsciously make others wrong to support our ego, which leads to blame and away from growth. *Learning about our “Encoded Assumptions”, our “Rules of Engagement”, and our “Circle of Tolerance” helps us recognize the reactions that are preventing a speedier growth for ourselves and those around us.
Key number 1 is: Concentrate on growth and results, do not blame or make others wrong.
The next step is making others right, making leadership decisions and taking actions that help others to succeed and develop their abilities. And when they do succeed, the specific acknowledgment of their success and why they were successful. *Learning the “Colored Brain” and how our genetic processing affects the way we perceive the world and approach tasks and decisions and what that means in manifesting our “natural” talents not only makes this easier, but gives us a better platform to understand, cooperate, and communicate with others.
Key number 2 is: Create opportunities to make others successful and positively acknowledge their specific actions that lead to that success.
Building the 5 pillars of Transformation:
The 5 pillars are the cornerstone of a leader’s ability to modify group dynamics, to nurture an environment that inspires and brings out the best in others. And, it is the process of constructing the five pillars themselves that facilitates the leader, and his team, the ability to embrace the two keys of personal awareness. This course of creation acts as a leadership catalyst to the keys implementation and the modification the leaders own behavior that advances that leader into a more powerful, Environmental Leader.
You must have a Greater Purpose
The team must have a purpose that is greater or nobler that the personal goals of each individual. Yet realization of this greater purpose, would be equally fulfilling to the individual.
The role of an Environmental Leader is to inspire this noble idea. To make the group or team want it, and be willing to take action to achieve it for the cause, for the promise of a greater working environment and a greater self.
You must have a Methodology you believe can make a Change The team must believe that change can happen, and that they as a group, can make it happen. They must believe that their own behavior can be improved, that they, as human beings can be better people. They must believe that there is a way, through a common wisdom in the group, they can be powerful enough to change organizational culture to a more fulfilling environment for the betterment of their own life.
But to believe any of this, the people must have, and recognize a psychological methodology that can effectively make change happen
You must speak a Common Language The methodology carries with it a specific language. The language reinforces the learning and the higher purpose. It sets a foundation to understand and explain awareness, change, and a higher level of living in a concise and effective way.
The role of the Environmental Leader is to use and reinforce the use of the language in the group. To set the example of applying communication that supports the greater cause.
You must have a Unified Identity The Label or name given to a cause provides a psychological reference to a common goal and a common Identity. The role of the Environmental Leader is to solidify that identity, to facilitate the group or team to associate themselves with that identity and everything it represents. To distinguish those who are a part of the greater purpose and give them a group vision.
You must maintain an internal Supportive Environment The role of the Environmental Leader becomes to nurture and develop environmental leaders within the teams and the organization.
At this stage, the environment created will fulfill much of the constantly expanding emotional gratifications. This environment provides a greater substance and meets the greater expectations of the modern world. Yet it cannot be developed without the right leadership. And, an environmental leader must go in to this knowing, that as the process matures, he will no longer be as essential as when he started.