Organizational Culture Change

1275 Words3 Pages

The relationship between a leader and the culture of an organization can be dynamic and difficult to understand. This relationship becomes very important as a leader attempts to change the culture of his/her organization. Edgar Schein (2010) provides a useful framework outlining mechanisms leaders can use to embed and transmit certain values and assumptions that shape an organization’s culture. Schein (2010) presents this framework as a means for a leader to embed culture after it has been established. This paper, however, will examine the usefulness of two specific mechanisms in affecting a culture change within an organization.
Changing culture can be difficult. The process for change must not only include rules, systems, and procedures, …show more content…

Allen, Smith, and DeSilva (2013) explain that understanding the psychological climate within the organization can do this. The psychological climate is an individual’s perception of the work environment, which, together with all the other members’ psychological climates, forms the organizational climate (Allen, et al., 2013). Because the members of an organization must accept change, Allen et al. (2013) state that it is important for leaders to try to influence the psychological climate to increase the readiness for change and for organizational …show more content…

Just like any other belief or assumption, the leader can specifically pay attention to aspects throughout the organization to support the message that change is necessary and possible. The leader can find ways to include discussing change with subordinates, and consistently highlight where and how the change will improve the organization. Furthermore, the leader can point out deficiencies and reiterate how the change will specifically relate to improvements in the everyday work environment. Paying attention to things that will support shifting the psychological climate, and increase the organization’s overall readiness for change will allow the leader to gain essential buy in from the individuals that will actually have to change their

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