Hello,
It is said that when in Rome, one should do as the Romans do!
This is a survival strategy and NOT a growth strategy and therefore I am not going to advise you to follow the same.
But to get to the basics, please note that:
1) The Organization and People are mutually dependent for survival and growth in a competitive environment.
2) Industrial Organizations are essentially economic organizations and justify their existence only when the output is greater than the input!
3) To ensure this are needed people, technology and management skills besides many other skills and inputs.
4) The hierarchy controls and coordinates the process of surplus generation by optimum and skillful usage of all resources, including the human resources.
To that end what is necessary are:
1) Clarity of GOALS.
2) Effective Leadership.
3) Trained manpower at all levels.
4) Strong communication culture, worthwhile motivational inputs and effective interpersonal relationships.
To ensure that all this is well orchestrated is the responsibility of the Head of the Organization by whatever name called. He must enlist competence, create work designs, establish an inspiring, supportive work culture. If he fails to handle his responsibilities the Organization is doomed and with it the people working there. If anyone feels he is above and greater than the organization then he is most likely to fail.
Having said all this, the question remains that what can an individual do when the Organization is already affected as described above. Well, the individual has a defined scope of work and responsibility to serve the organization. It is an empirical reality that one works best when he is aware of the directions and goals of the organization. And if he is in a situation you describe, it would be a delusion that by getting some tips and pointers from the well wishers, he will be able to cause desired transformation.
If the leadership fails in its task, I cannot make it an excuse and fail myself also.
At every forum one must courageously speak his mind and so long he is seen to be holding organization's interests above everything, sooner than later he will be noticed. But while speaking his mind at every available forum, he must NOT be judgmental and should avoid the temptation to criticize in an exaggerated manner.
The first time one speaks like this people may not clap or appreciate. There may be suspicion about your intention and if some people feel threatened by your expressing your thoughts freely and firmly, one may even encounter opposition-open and secret!
One must be diplomatic, committed, studious and restrained but fearless in stating his view point/s. One must become proactive and keep up this style os performance at least for a year or so and the "powers that be" are still refusing to consider reality being presented by you, you must take a responsible and conscious decision and start looking for alternate employment at a more cultured organization.
Playing politics and squealing to superiors levels above yours will never help in the long run!
Moral of the story is, try to change the environment for better from within in a strategic, diplomatic but honest and committed way for a reasonable time and if nothing happens to generate hope for improvement then look for alternatives and move over.
Please remember that the time, talent and resources you have deploy to change things for the better are NOT a waste since during this journey also you would have enriched yourself with additional experience that will stand you in good stead in future!
Regards
samvedan
October 27, 2013
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